Two people from Phoenix were killed along with 14 dogs that they were transporting to be adopted in Canada last week.
ABC 15 News in Phoenix reports that the tragic crash happened along Interstate 15 at approximately 6:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15th, when the Ford Econoline box truck the couple had been driving veered off the road and struck an embankment on the left side of the Interstate highway.
A spokesperson for the Idaho State Police said in a statement that 38-year-old Ann Watson, who was riding as a passenger in the truck, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver of the vehicle, 40-year-old Christopher Kracht, was airlifted to a hospital. He later died as a result of the injuries he suffered in the crash.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Watson, the founder of the non-profit dog rescue operation, Who Saved Who Rescue in Phoenix, along with Kracht, were on their way to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with 48 dogs. The dogs were kenneled inside the truck at the time of the crash. Authorities say that 14 of the dogs were killed, while 18 additional dogs were located. Sixteen other dogs that were in the truck are missing.
Local veterinarians are treating the dogs before they continue to Canada.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
