Town and Country Veterinary Clinic in Christiansburg wound up with 79 rescued dogs after a two-vehicle crash Sunday on I-81 in Roanoke County.
The crash occurred at 1:20 a.m. at mile marker 136.2. A 2015 Honda Odyssey was traveling north on I-81 in the left lane when the driver attempted to pass a 2017 Ram utility van carrying rescued dogs and traveling in the right lane. The Odyssey driver lost control of his vehicle and struck the van. Both vehicles ran off the left side of the highway and into the median. The utility van then overturned.
The Odyssey was driven by Pranav Yogesh Desai, 32, of Acworth, Ga. Desai was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured and was charged with reckless driving.
The utility van was driven by Leslie Ysuhuaylas, 31, of Plano, Texas. Ysuhuaylas was wearing her seatbelt and was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for injuries received in the crash.
The van was transporting 50 crates containing 80 rescued dogs and was traveling from Texas to a “No Kill” shelter in Pennsylvania. One dog was killed in the crash.
All the other animals were recovered and transported by the Fort Lewis Fire Department to Town and Country Veterinary Clinic in Christiansburg where they remain under care pending arrangements to complete their transportation to Pennsylvania.
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