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Woman warning others after dog dies in serious car crash

A grieving New Hampshire dog owner hopes others can learn from the story of her beloved Husky’s death.

As a dog walker and trainer Meredith LoPresti took Husky Jasper with her every day in the back of her car. She said she never realized how much danger he was in until the crash that killed him instantly.

“One second we were driving along…the next we were pushed off the road, flying all over the place,” said LoPresti.

The crash happened on March 3, when police said another driver made an unsafe lane change on Route 495 north in Haverhill. The driver sideswiped LoPresti, forcing her Subaru Forrester off the road.

Witnesses said the Forrester went airborne before rolling three times. Jasper was thrown from a side window. LoPresti was taken to the hospital but miraculously escaped without serious injury.

“I didn’t think it was real…I have a lot of vivid dreams and I was thinking I’ll just wake up and it won’t be real,” said LoPresti.

The ashes she now holds in a necklace, the freshly inked paw print tattoo on her arm, and the camera roll filled with pictures and videos are all painful reminders of the loss she wonders if she could have prevented.

“I didn’t think about strapping him in. I thought ‘I’m a good driver,’” she said.

Jasper was a good passenger, which made Lopresti think he was okay to ride around with her in the back of her car without a crate or any other restraint.

“I never thought that anything like that would happen I’ve never been in a fender bender,” she said.

Now, she sees it entirely differently, and is hoping other pet owners will learn from her experience.

LoPresti used to drive around with Jasper in a crate when he was a puppy, but didn’t get him another one once he outgrew it.

She believes a crate, strapped down in a car, is the most effective way to protect your pet. There are also doggie seat belts to keep your animal restrained.