A Belle Haven family is turning to the community for information and financial support after their beloved dog was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash on the George Washington Memorial Parkway earlier this month.
Owner Alicia Naylor was plastering her Belle View neighborhood with flyers for Buck — a 2-year-old Australian shepherd who went missing after slipping out of his harness around 8 p.m. the previous night — when she received a call that he had been struck by a driver at approximately 5:30 p.m. on March 12.
The crash occurred next to the Sunoco gas station at 1201 Belle Haven Road, which was coincidentally just a couple doors away from the Belle Haven Animal Medical Centre, according to Naylor.
“I only know there was 2 vehicles/witnesses that stopped and helped the nurses to get Buck onto the gurney to bring him into the hospital,” Naylor told FFXnow by email.
One of the witnesses told staff at the veterinary hospital that they were waiting to turn onto the GW Parkway when they saw Buck walking on the west side of the roadway. The dog then crossed the road, heading east when he was hit by a northbound driver believed to have been traveling 50 to 60 mph.
“[The dog was] hobbling on 3 legs after car hit him, got himself to east side of the road and laid down on [the] shoulder near Mt Vernon Trail parking lot,” the witness said in a report taken by the Belle Haven Animal Medical Centre, which quickly called Naylor after finding her number on Buck’s collar.
Buck suffered severe injuries from the crash, including broken bones, hemorrhaging and blood clots that will likely require major surgeries and possibly amputation, according to a GoFundMe page that Naylor established to help raise money for his recovery.
As of press time, the fundraiser had collected more than $3,000 from 72 donations toward a $5,000 goal.
“Our Family can’t say goodbye without Fighting,” Naylor wrote. “Buck is too Young and such a Joy to have by our Side. He truly is my Daughter’s Best Friend. Any Buck to help Buck towards his recovery to good health is appreciated. (Even just a Prayer and Share).”
In addition to seeking help with medical expenses, Naylor and her family have been searching for information about the driver behind the crash.
The U.S. Park Police, which oversees the GW Parkway, confirmed that it received a report of the crash and is investigating, but has minimal leads so far.
“There was one witness, but unfortunately no identifying information could be shared on the driver,” a police spokesperson said. “There are no other details at this time.”
Naylor says she has appealed to the many businesses with surveillance cameras in the areas, including Sunoco. Though the owners helped look for the vehicle’s make and model, they were unable to find any footage of the actual crash that could help identify a possible driver.
Naylor is asking anyone who might have tips to email luck4buckmarley@gmail.com.
