She had survived an initial collision on Interstate 75 before running into active traffic lane.
A California woman died after she was struck by a vehicle on a Kentucky interstate while trying to rescue her dog, who had escaped following an earlier crash, authorities said.
Morabia Siddhi Suresh, 33, of Fremont, California, was involved in a collision on Interstate 75 northbound in Rockcastle County. Moments later, her dog ran from the vehicle, prompting Suresh to enter the highway in an attempt to retrieve the animal.
Kentucky State Police said she was then hit by a passing vehicle and later died from her injuries.
The heartbreaking sequence of events has left family, friends and animal lovers mourning both Suresh and her dog, Penny, who also reportedly died after being struck by a car.
A california crash led to a desperate attempt to save her dog
Kentucky State Police Post 11 in London responded to reports of a crash involving a pedestrian near the 62 mile marker of Interstate 75 in Rockcastle County.
Investigators said Suresh had been driving a vehicle involved in a separate collision shortly before the fatal incident. During the aftermath of that crash, her dog escaped from the vehicle.
Authorities said Suresh entered the active lanes of the interstate while attempting to recover Penny.
She was struck by a 2026 Chevrolet Malibu driven by a 25 year old man from London, Kentucky.
Emergency crews transported Suresh to Rockcastle Regional Hospital with serious injuries. She was later pronounced dead by the Rockcastle County Coroner’s Office.
Investigators said drugs and alcohol are not believed to have played a role in the incident.
Authorities are still investigating what happened
State police continue to investigate both the initial crash and the events that followed.
Officials have not released details about what caused the first collision or how long Suresh had been outside her vehicle before she entered the roadway.
Several agencies assisted at the scene, including Rockcastle County EMS, the Mount Vernon Fire Department, the Rockcastle County Sheriff’s Office, the Mount Vernon Police Department and the Rockcastle County Coroner’s Office.
Authorities have not announced whether any charges are expected or released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the crashes.
Reports from the New York Post and the Lexington Herald Leader later indicated that Penny was also hit by a vehicle and died.
Remembered as a devoted animal lover
Friends and organizations that knew her have remembered her as someone who deeply loved animals and regularly supported rescue efforts.
She had donated to The Voice of Stray Dogs, an animal rescue organization based in India, in honor of Penny’s birthday in 2025.
The organization previously highlighted the special bond between her and her dog, describing Penny as an unexpected but cherished part of her life.
Social media posts and tributes shared after her death have painted a picture of a woman who cared deeply for animals and made their welfare an important part of her life.
The loss of both Suresh and Penny has resonated with many pet owners, who understand the instinct to protect an animal in danger, even when doing so carries significant risks.
Highway dangers after crashes
Safety experts have long warned that highways become especially dangerous after collisions, particularly when people leave their vehicles and enter active traffic lanes.
Interstates are designed for high speed travel, leaving little time for drivers to react to pedestrians on the roadway.
Emergency officials generally advise motorists involved in crashes to move to a safe location if possible and wait for emergency responders rather than attempting to retrieve belongings or pets that have wandered into traffic.
In Suresh’s case, investigators say a heartbreaking decision made in a matter of seconds ultimately ended in tragedy.
As the investigation continues, authorities hope to better understand the circumstances that led to the fatal incident.
For those who knew Suresh, however, the lasting memory is of a woman whose love for her dog was evident until the very end.