KANAWHA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA — A man who narrowly survived being dragged 400 feet after a semi-truck veered into his dump truck on Interstate 64 Tuesday evening ran back toward the burning wreckage to save the truck driver's dog — enduring 15 defensive bites from the terrified animal in the process — even as the driver he tried to reach did not survive.

Kris Pelfrey was riding home from work with his boss when a semi-truck drifted out of its lane and struck their dump truck, nearly sending it over the median and dragging it approximately 400 feet before coming to rest. The semi's driver, Jeffrey Simons, 63, of Iowa, was trapped inside as fire quickly spread through the cab.

The Rescue Attempt

Pelfrey got out of his vehicle and immediately went to help Simons. When someone yelled that the truck was on fire, Pelfrey and others tried to break the cab window. "I tried to beat the window out of it and couldn't. A guy came up with a fire extinguisher. He couldn't knock it out. Finally, an older guy came up with a crowbar and hit the window and took the window out," Pelfrey said.

With black smoke pouring from the cab so thick he said he couldn't see a hand in front of his face, Pelfrey climbed in and tried to reach Simons by touch. "I felt the dog. I reached over and tried to feel for the driver. I yelled and yelled, no answer, couldn't feel. I had to get out of there. It was bad," he said.

Unable to rouse Simons, Pelfrey pulled the dog from the burning cab. Simons died in the crash. The incident is the same fiery multi-vehicle wreck that killed one person on I-64.

The Dog

Pelfrey endured approximately 15 defensive bites from the frightened dog before police were able to take her to the Kanawha County Humane Association. A police officer arrived at the shelter just before closing time, and the veterinarian and staff stayed late to ensure the dog received care and got settled.

The shelter identified the dog as Hennessey. Though rattled by the experience, Hennessey has physically recovered. Shelter staff said she was able to FaceTime with Simons' immediate family, which seemed to calm her. Hennessey is expected to be reunited with the Simons family within about a week.

Pelfrey, a lifelong animal lover, said he never hesitated. He was back at work the next morning.

Interview courtesy of local media.

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