Hennessy the Dog Reunited with Family Following Fatal Crash in West Virginia
WELLSBURG, WV — Hennessy, a dog from Iowa, was reunited with her family on Monday after surviving a crash that claimed her owner's life.
The incident occurred on June 23 when Jeffrey Simons, 52, lost control of his tractor-trailer on I-64. Emergency responders arrived shortly after the single-vehicle accident, where Simons was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association (KCHA), Hennessy was rescued from the wreckage by passing motorists. Due to damage to her collar, only part of her contact information was legible.
Authorities said KCHA utilized social media, reaching out to over 100,000 followers on their Facebook page, to identify Hennessy's family. The dog was adopted from the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown, Iowa, in 2019.
Her family traveled from Iowa to West Virginia to retrieve her, expressing joy at their reunion. Witnesses reported that Hennessy transformed from being scared and timid to excited upon seeing her family.
KCHA is accepting donations via Cash App and Venmo to assist the family with travel expenses and unexpected costs associated with Hennessy's care. Further details regarding the investigation are pending.