Tragic Driveway Accident Claims Life of Florida Man
A Florida man lost his life in a shocking and tragic accident, not at the hands of another person, but due to his own excited pet dog. The freak incident, which serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of leaving vehicles unattended with pets inside, occurred in January 2013.
The Fatal Sequence of Events
James Campbell, a 68-year-old resident of Cantonment in Tampa, Florida, was helping his wife, Iris Fortner, reverse their 1995 Chevrolet van onto their driveway. Mr Campbell had exited the passenger side to open the metal gates blocking the entrance. In a fateful decision, he left his door open.
Meanwhile, his wife was in the driver's seat and opened her own door to better see her husband's position behind the vehicle. At that critical moment, the couple's pet Boxer dog spotted its owners. The excited animal jumped into the driver's side of the van.
In doing so, the dog landed on the acceleration pedal. The van suddenly reversed, striking Mr Campbell and trapping him underneath the vehicle. His wife frantically tried to apply the brakes, but it was too late. The combination of a running engine, a loose dog, and an in-gear vehicle proved to be a deadly mix.
Aftermath and a Bizarre Coincidence
Tragically, James Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. His wife, Iris Fortner, was taken to West Florida Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that no charges were filed in connection with the incident.
In a strange twist of fate, this was not the only dog-related unusual incident in the area that same month. In early January 2013 in Miami, homeowners were awakened by their barking dog to find a naked intruder attempting to choke their pet Rottweiler. The homeowner shot the suspect in the leg, and police later stated the shooting appeared to be justified given the intruder's irrational and aggressive behaviour.
These two incidents from the same period highlight the unpredictable and sometimes tragic consequences that can arise from interactions between people and animals.
