Kentucky woman fatally struck while attempting to save dog after initial crash
The victim was remembered as an animal lover who had previously donated to dog rescue causes
A 33-year-old woman has died after being struck by a vehicle on an interstate in Kentucky while attempting to rescue her escaped pet following an earlier crash, authorities said.
Morabia Siddhi Suresh, of Fremont, California, was involved in a collision on I-75 in Rockcastle County on Monday, June 8, according to Kentucky State Police.
Officials said Suresh’s pet escaped from her vehicle after the initial crash. In an effort to retrieve the animal, she entered the travel lanes of the highway, where she was struck by a Chevrolet Malibu.
She was transported to a nearby hospital but later died from her injuries, Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington said in a statement.
Authorities noted that there is no indication that drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident.
The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu has been identified by investigators, though it is not yet clear whether any charges will be filed in connection with the collision.
Suresh was remembered by friends and online tributes as a devoted animal lover who cared deeply for her dog, Penelope, affectionately known as “Penny.”
In February 2025, she marked her dog’s birthday by donating to the India-based animal rescue organization The Voice of Stray Dogs (VOSD).
A message shared at the time described her as someone who “absolutely adores Penny” and called the pet “the happiest accident of her life.”
The incident remains under investigation by the Kentucky State Police.