Incredible Video: Dog Involved in Tragic DUI Accident Swims Half-Mile to Kayaker
- Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:33am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Imagine you’re fishing in your kayak, and instead of reeling in a fish, you end up with a dog. That’s exactly what happened to one Tampa-area kayaker on Saturday afternoon, in a story that is both incredible and tragic.
As the man was fishing, he saw the dog — named Barney — swimming to his kayak. He eventually scooped him up and took him to a local vet. It just so happened that he had a camera rolling during the whole incident:
But the story doesn’t end there. The kayaker, who was baffled as to how and why Barney — who swam about a half-mile — got to him, then learned the tragic news. CBSTampa.com explains:
The man brought Barney to a local vet, who used a tracking chip implanted in him to discover his owner was Donna L. Chen, who was struck by a Nissan Altima and died moments before.
Florida Highway Patrol said Blake Talman, 22, was fleeing from an earlier crash in his Nissan Altima northbound on SR-758 when he struck Chen and Barney.
The two were jogging north on SR-758 when Talman allegedly failed to navigate a left curve causing him to leave the roadway and strike a metal pole before hitting Chen and a street sign. Chen was knocked from the sidewalk into the center of the road, reports indicate.
Barney took off, though there is no mention of him in the report.
Talman, the driver, currently is in Jail. He faces charges including DUI manslaughter and DUI property damage and personal injury.
(H/T: Drudge)
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Comments (56)
blazingaway
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 1:32pmHer children will be thankful to get their dog back and not have suffered the loss of their mother and dog or of the worry of where and what happen to their dog.
This is a fantastic example of how one kind person makes a difference and one disgusting person destroys the freedom, privacy and property of another.
We seem to increasingly have crap for politicians, crap for law enforcement and crap for people who are nothing but selfish and are tolerated by others who are kind.
Report Post »betennant
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 3:11pmGod bless that young man for taking the time and trouble for that poor animal. I hope it recovers it all and does not suffer long effects from the trauma. When will people stop this drinking and driving and senseless harming and killing. My husband and I were almost killed and my unborn, almost full term baby was killed and our lives changed forever 41 years ago, and several times we have almost been hit again, ENOUGH! Everyone knows drinking and driving are not good and you’d would think it would stop.
Report Post »Sergei
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:41pmhurrumph…
Report Post »Cavy from VA
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:10pmObviously Barney was on track towards home and suffered a second brush with death when he tried to swim the canal … a lucky dog is he!!
Report Post »Juniemoon
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:44pmIt’s sort of like a tea party member compared to a occupy whine street thug.
Report Post »cbsiesta
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 12:54pmThis is not the full story. We live on Siesta Key about 3 blocks from where this happened. Here is what we know so far, at noon on Saturday 3 young men were at the beach pavillion & were drunk & causing problems, the sheriffs told them to leave or be arrested, 1 was arrested, the 2 others got in their car & continued drinking, left the parking lot hit a car & left the scene. They went Noth on Midnight Pass doing 90mph & did not take the turn correctly, that when they hit Donna Chen. As for the dog, there is a cannal a couple of blocks from the accident, thats where he probably went in, the cannal dumps into the Gulf at the North bridge of Siesta. No this is Not Tampa Bay….yes there are rocks on Florida beaches especially on SK…there is a spot call Point of the Rocks. Also, I feel that the officers involved at the pavillion should be held responcible for not arresting them for public intoxication…it could have saved a life! God bless the Chen family!!!
Report Post »betennant
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 3:14pmI agree with you. You can never bring back a human life and this was senseless.
Report Post »Delta9SFBay
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:17pmThank you for your input. It is sad to know that this could have been prevented. God bless the Chen family.
Report Post »toto
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:51pmPerhaps when officers encounter drunks, they should confiscate their drivers licenses and car keys and the offender should have to pick them up at the police station the following day. Shoot, station cops outside bars and do the same thing, pass the breathalyzer test or turn over your keys.
Report Post »DEADFACEBOOK
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 12:02pmi live in sarasota which is the mainland siesta key sits off of. The kid who did this is a 22 year old named Blake Talman. I looked up his facebook and it states he works at the bar/restaraunt where he was almost, and should have been arrested. I wrote him a message through facebook and I hope everyone here will as well. Blake Talman, 22.
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 12:52pmAll else aside. i find myself shedding a tear for anyone who would rig a camera to shoot video of themselves fishing!
Report Post »Doctor Nordo
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 12:46pmShamWOW to the rescue! Vince Offer would be proud.
Report Post »Drakkhanlord
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 12:39pmSeems the focus of the story should be on the Victim…?
Donna Chen…Rest in Peace.
I love Animals , but DAM this woman was ran over …and the story is about a Dog…
Come’on…
btw , now all will want tracking chips…in humans ?
Report Post »bombshelterbob
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 12:49pmDrakkhanlord;
Selltle down man! Focus-Focus!
Report Post »AnAppealToGod
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 12:36pmIt‘s a horrible story but it’s like 2 days old or more.
The Blaze does not have a cutting edge team working for them. Cutting edge to an Amish person maybe…
Report Post »Elliesr
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 12:20pmAmazing story! Poor dog was traumatized. He doesn’t even know what happen to his poor master. I hope he’s okay and still has a home with the family. How sad.
Report Post »cbsiesta
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 12:40pmThis is not the full story. We live on Siesta Key about 3 blocks from where this happened. Here is what we know so far, at noon on Saturday 3 young men were at the beach pavillion & were drunk & causing problems, the sheriffs told them to leave or be arrested, 1 was arrested, the 2 others got in their car & continued drinking, left the parking lot hit a car & left the scene. They went Noth on Midnight Pass doing 90mph & did not take the turn correctly, that when they hit Donna Chen. As for the dog, there is a cannal a couple of blocks from the accident, thats where he probably went in, the cannal dumps into the Gulf at the North bridge of Siesta. No this is Not Tampa Bay….yes there are rocks on Florida beaches especially on SK…there is a spot call Point of the Rocks. Also, I feel that the officers involved at the pavillion should be held responcible for not arresting them for public intoxication…it could have saved a life! God bless the Chen family!!!
Report Post »Leperus
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 12:09pmWhat a nice/sad story. That kayaker did a good thing. It’s a small comfort, but I’m sure Ms. Chen’s family would be glad to have her dog back.
Report Post »larrylarrylarry
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:49amAn ex police officer-law professor adds some controversy to this story. I don’t agree with him, but now that I think of it, don’t the police wait outside bars, or maybe even inside bars, to catch drunk drivers?
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120110/ARTICLE/120119948/2055/NEWS?Title=Expert-says-deputies-missed-chances-in-runner-s-death
Report Post »Krutch
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:15amRunning from an accident and killing someone. Death penalty!! Grind the DUI idiot up and feed him to the dog.
Report Post »jaswalt
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 2:38pm:)
Report Post »Sounds like a plan.
SmallGovBigGuns
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:55amlock that dumb ass driver up forever.
Report Post »liberty_for_all
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:48amPut Talman on death row.
Report Post »SenorStrange
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:27amThank you Mr. kayaker for the kindness you showed. You have touched so many people. Now, if we could just get people to be this kind to each other.
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:49amAmen.
Report Post »Skee
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:38amThat’s weird, I live a few minutes from Siesta Key where this happened
Report Post »and the local news never mentioned a dog. The road where this occured
never gets closer than 100 yards to the gulf, so that dog sprinted over
a good distance of land to get to water.
goofyfoot2001
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:11amI lived in St. Pete and never knew there were even any rocks in the whole state!
Report Post »kapnkd
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:46amReply to “Goofyfoot2001” (below)”
Having lived in Sarasota myself …True, not many regular rocks in FL …BUT – lots and lots of Coral Rock which is often used as fill or breakwaters for developers.
Report Post »Nicealltype
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:28amWhat a wonderful story. Mr kayaker you are a wonderful human being. and dogs are smarter than we think believe me.
Report Post »DeavonReye
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:12amSo many aspects to this story. A brave and resiliant dog, the benevolence of a kayaker and his family, but also the tragedy of death and anger for a criminal that caused all of this. I hope they keep that guy locked up for a LONG time. Mostly, I give my condolences to the family of the lady.
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:49amAmazing the fortitude of an animal……pets are family and this man is amazing for what he did to help this dog!!!!
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:44amPoor dog. Prayers for Donna’s family. I just wish they would start charging these drunk drivers with murder when they kill someone. The guy will probably walk away with a slap on the wrist just to kill again. They have made drunk driving legal murder with their down grading it to manslaughter.
Report Post »SenorStrange
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:24amSo true…if people want the right to drink they must also take the full responsibility of their actions while drunk.
Report Post »D-Fence
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:41amPoor animal was scared and sensed that the kayaker was the right person to help. RIP Ms Chen. Blake, you just destroyed a life, and your own. Ask forgiveness for your actions.
Report Post »Dirty Harry
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:03amYou’re a good man, Mr. Kayakker!
Report Post »rambosharley
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:00amPoor doggy….I hope he finds a good home!
Report Post »GeneTracy
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:26amThis reminded me of that Henry Gross song from 1976 called “Shannon”.Shannon is gone I hope she’s drifting out to sea.She always loved to swim away.That song touched me back then,as this story does now.
Report Post »Claire22
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 3:33pmI hope the dog gets returned to Ms. Chen’s family/children.
Report Post »SunnyInFlorida
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 6:32amI have three dogs that were “unwanted”, but not sure if I can afford a 4th. If this dogs goes to a Kill Animal Shelter I hope someone spreads the word. I’ll figure out somehow to take care of the little one. He reminds me of the last old dog we just just got.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:58am.
Was the dog so upset he went to the nearest bridge, and jumped in?
How did the Dog get in the middle of Tampa Bay?……….
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:09amI’m just guessing, but it seems to me that if he had been struck by the car also then he would not have survived. Maybe he received his injuries from falling into the rocky waters and then found himself unable to climb back out.
Report Post »jaswalt
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 2:47pmLots of dogs/animals survive collisions with very fast moving cars every day. It could have been a glancing blow on the dog. It’s hard to say, but being hit by a car doesn’t always mean instant death. I had a cat that we witnessed being hit by a car doing 55+ mph and it lived 3 years after that.
Report Post »Yeshua2Come
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:54amFelony DUI should be a capital offense. It would have been in a more pragmatic day in the US.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:23amThe criminal lawyers today can get most people with any money off from even jail time. It’s sickening.
Report Post »Maidoff101
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:48amThe Crap bag driving the Vehicle Murdered its owner, He should be taken a half mile out in ocean and thrown overboard, in shark infested waters. I have More respect for the dog Hope He ‘s adopted, Bet He’s a great dog!
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:34amPoor thing….
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