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Subscribe to RSSA Florida man has died after a dog jumped into a van and pushed the accelerator, causing the vehicle to strike the man as he opened a gate outside of his home, authorities said.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported that 68-year-old James Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.
The strange incident began as Campbell and Iris Fortner, 68, returned to their home in Cantonment, Fla., on the Florida Panhandle on Monday.
According to an FHP report, while Fortner, who was driving, backed a 1995 Chevy van into their property, Campbell got out of the passenger's side of the vehicle to open a metal gate outside their home.
As Fortner opened the driver's side door to see where Campbell was standing, her large boxer came running toward the van and jumped in, pressing the accelerator, the report said.
Before Fortner could stop the vehicle, it struck and ran over Campbell, trapping him under it, according to the report. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Campbell's death is under investigation. Fortner has not been charged.
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I know, We're going to read "Florida again" numerous times but, I like Florida man! I wish the weather was like FL here in NJ.
On another note, what a shame. A totalfreak accident. I have read quite a few stories of dogs doing certain unfortunate things such as a dog stepping on the trigger of a hunters gun shooting the hunter.
Never ceases to amaze me reading stories like this. RIP dude...
Why do I get the feeling they'll try to euthanize the dog? Seems like every time someone dies in a situation involving an animal, they put the animal to sleep. Let's hope they're not that stupid (and frankly cruel) in this case.
The big question is why did he leave it in gear? No offense against the man, but a little stupidity also created this misfortune. RIP Campbell. I hope they find a home for the pup.
"The dog ate my homework" revisited.
Blake, read the story, the women was driving and opened the door which allowed the dog to jump in.
Sounds like a horrible freak accident. My condolences to all involved....Thought I had a bad day...
Yeesh.
DA just announced that his department is considering second degree vehicular manslaughter charges on the canine. He said that he will seek restitution for this "careless act", LOL!
To say I am skeptical of her story would be an understatement.
She was at the wheel, ostensibly with her foot off the brake but not moving, and the dog jumped in there and mashed the gas pedal so quickly that she could not apply the brake soon enough to avoid hitting the man.
And there were no other witnesses. Except the dog.
Riiiiiight.
what is it about florida? there's no way it could have happened in another state, right? (and yes please save the dog)
Mans best friend. Hmmm
inMYday- I was thinking the same thing.
I think this lady ran him over and came up the story.. It sounds as far fetched as the stories my 13 year old will tell to stay out of trouble..
I'm not buying this story. Nice attempt at explaining how your spouse was killed. "Officer, the dog pushed the accelerator and........"
wouldn't the vehicle been in park and if the dog did step on the gas it shouldn't have moved???? Maybe the dog put the van in drive.....hmmmmmm
Creek Dog,
"A totalfreak accident."
Was it an accident or was it really murder? Were there any witnesses to the dog's jumping into the car and pressing the accelerator or is that simply what Ms. Fortner claimed happened? Her friend, Mr. Campbell is dead now, so he can't contradict her.
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.
That being said, there needs to be some investigation--Boxers are big dogs. How'd this one manage to wedge himself into the driver's side floor pan to hit the gas pedal if the woman was still in the car/presumably on the driver's seat? Unless it was a puppy, but then would there be enough body mass on the dog to floor the pedal?
Mickey,
First off, it was a Van. You are sitting upright like in a chair. This guy was 68 yrs old so his girlfriend was likely near his age or older.
Boxers can get large. Being old and maybe a little weak, the dog definitely could have jumped in and stood on the gas peddle with his back legs and front legs up on her lap & in her face all happily.
Again, in a Van there is a lot more room between your knees and the dashboard. This is my take however, without knowing "exactly" what happened by being there, you guys could be correct also.
This is what the Vine is for, scepticism and theories....
Mickey: So, she is guilty until proven innocent, is that it? It has not even been established that there was a crime and you already have her convicted of it. Pathetic.
Creek Dog,
"This is what the Vine is for, scepticism and theories...."
I'd say you are absolutely correct about that. But everyone likes a good murder mystery. Accidents are just too commonplace and boring.
FatCatLady,
"Mickey: So, she is guilty until proven innocent, is that it? It has not even been established that there was a crime and you already have her convicted of it. Pathetic."
I did not convict her of anything. If you look at my post, you should notice that every sentence in it is an interrogative sentence. That's indicated by the question mark at the end if you recall from you grammar school classes in reading. An interrogative sentence does not state a fact. It asks a question. The only declarative sentence was the last, which stated that Mr. Campbell is dead, and that is just a fact as stated.
No matter what, this doggone story she told about how Paw died is quite a tail.
Everyone is presumed innocent, until the guilty dog barks first.
She's definitely in the doghouse now.
George Carlin, "I didn't do it; I'm a CAT. Ask THE DOG." (in reference to how dogs can look guilty, but cats don't show much emotion)
Oops, one more.
I hope the cops don't bark up the wrong tree.
Yeah... This doesn't pass the smell test.
The "large boxer" got between her legs, the wheel, the engine hump that extends from the dash and the seat to press the accelerator. I have a Mini Aussie and it couldn't do that.
Hope she enjoys the insurance money.
They told us when the whole Toyota accelerator problem was happening that the brakes will overpower the engine's acceleration. So if the dog stepped on the gas pedal, the brakes should have not allowed the van to move. Unless her foot wasn't on the brake pedal. Which means that she should have had the van in park. Which leads to no amount of pressing the accelerator will cause the van to move, unless it's in gear.
So from this, we can infer that the vehicle was in gear, and her foot was not on the brake. Wait, what? Sounds like she ran him over, and is now using the dog as an excuse.
"... doesn't pass the smell test ..." You got that right. This will probably be turned into one of those re-enacted murder stories in under two years, complete with an interview of Iris from her prison's cafeteria. She'll probably say "Wish I had a dachshund instead of a boxer."
When my beagle stops and pees on the back tires, it usually means he's going to come up front to do a burnoff. Can't believe they didn't see it coming.
The guy that was killed was the PASSENGER. How does a dog get in a van on the passenger side, scoot over, and step on the gas pedal when the driver's leg is in there? BTW, Chevy vans have a huge gearbox in the middle. Methinks a different outcome will follow soon.
Darn, where is Lieutenant Columbo when you need him??? lol
Do any of you have a large dog? The dog probably jumped into the only space available - at her feet. At that point, he could easily be pressing the accelerator and her foot that had been on the brake was likely under him held down. This nearly happened to me once. Fortunately, no one was hurt. I was a lot younger than this woman at the time and was able to essentially lift the dog with my foot to get it back on the brake and turn the car off. I can definitely see this happening. This poor woman had enough to deal with withour being called a murderer!
Savvy - read the article. It says she opened the driver's door to get a better look behind her and the dog jumped in then.
"Oh Jay? Just one more thing......"
IF this is an accident, man that sucks
but I think being skeptical is the proper approach, because what if she killed him?
Doesnt he and whatever family he has deserve justice?
If this was an accident, I still think she should be held accountable for the life she took away - 5 years sounds about right, considering that guy in PA got 5 years for INTENTIONALLY KILLING his wife.
The driver was backing into the driveway, opened the driver's door to get a better view and the dog jumped in. She probably had the vehicle in gear, as she was preparing to back further into the driveway. Sad accident.
It would have to be that the dog stepped sideways and it the gas peddle but in that case the dog would have to go past the woman with her foot on the brake. I'm not sure how that would work.
So she loses her Allstate safe driver discount right ? Like why not put it in park ? she was getting out to see where the old man was - with the thing in gear ! Sure blame it on the dog - he stepped on the gas, but who left it in gear ? On the other hand the old boy didn't have to go to a nursing home for 5 years and hand over his lifetime savings, while waiting for someone to change his diapers. When you 68 and up and a sudden surprise takes you out it may not be as bad as a prolonged suffering with a horrible disease or condition. You gotta love Florida. There'd be nothing but international news if Florida were to disappear.
I've heard of "my dog ate my homework", but this...
blake....try reading the story first before opening the pie hole.
i read you....i hope you get a terrible disease and suffer...a long time......................a very long time.
My dog saved my life in a very peculiar way. I was driving my 1967 Impala down the interstate with my Cocker Spaniel when a car came out of no where and jambed its brakes right smack in front of me. I saw the car and I pressed my brakes but couldn't stop. Then I looked down and low and behold there was a dog bone wedged beneath the brake pedal. It was too late to remove so I went off the road and tumbled down an embankment. The car rolled over twice and the only thing that saved me was my dog. Somehow he got caught up under me while shifting and rolling. I was thankful that I wasn't hurt but I lost a good friend.
metis the fly,
That's quite a story!
Yeah, I have to agree with the skeptics on this one. If she had opened the door to see where she was backing up, she should have already had her foot on the brake. Plus, if the dog came in on the driver's side (where she was sitting), the brake pedal is the one closer to the door. He would have had to go around that foot to press the gas pedal. And I won't even go into the fact that apparently the car was in line to drive into the guy instead of passing him and going into the driveway.
Why are so many people stuck on the idea that her leg would have been in the way of the dog getting onto the accelerator?
The dog probably knocked her foot off the brake when he jumped in. Big dog... older lady, probably not expecting to be pounced on?
Florida has a drive to kill law....and I suppose the rt wingers will defend the dog's right to drive to kill. I hear the dog's name was Zimmerman....
I suspect that Toonces, the driving cat, set him up (SNL.) Bad kitty.
This makes no sense. If the female passenger get out of the car to see where Cambell was, why didn't she put the car in park?? I might who gets partially out the driver seat, with the car in gear holding the break petal down. If the car was in park, they car wouldn't have moved no matter how hard you mash the throttle. And if the car was manual, you have the clutch petal to factor in, and mashing the throttle without clutch application would of stalled the car. This story makes no since whats so ever. My guess... MURDER!!!!
so could it be that the weight of the dog knocked her foot off of the brake, as it would've had to, to end up on the gas peddle? I believe this could happen. I thought about this for awhile and it's possible she did it on purpose but I also think accidents happen. I was a Paramedic for years and you wouldn't believe the accidents that have happened that didn't make any sense. Hence the term "freak" accident.
is it ok...to call him spot...
the ole bat did him in! way to go granny.
That was a very 2 dimensional comment plain bob.
"But everyone likes a good murder mystery."
Scooby, 2 the Mystery Machine!
Rooby, Rooby, Roo!
"U don't say,
'Rooby, Rooby, Roo!"
U don't say!
Big mistake leaving the vehicle in gear while opening the door.
BGraves, your reading comprehension skills could use brushing up. First of all, the lady was the driver, NOT the passenger. Second, she did NOT get out of the vehicle; she opened the door to see where the man was. At that point the dog (undoubtedly excited to see them) jumped in. Doesn't sound much like murder when you actually read it. Just a sad accident.
Why is the Van not set at park gear?
Well, my question is this. If "She" was backing into the driveway and he went to open the gate...why was the dog already outside the fence, so as to be free to jump into the van..or had he already got the gate open (dog ran out), then again if so why was he still in the middle of the driveway? Shouldn't he have been off to the side with the gate open, waiting to close it again when she got backed in? I know freaky things happen, but somehow this one seems just a little smelly?????
Starsailing, ya really had to dig deep for that political nugget didn't ya. And we all know what hole you dug it out of. Jerk
Somewhere, the true killer is astounded that the cops are believing the dog killed the old man
<sniff, sniff> I smell the very distinct odor of BULL$H!T. If she (the driver) got out of the van to see where he (the gate guy) was does that mean that she was already parked on top of him? Why didn't the van move when she got out of it, warning her that things needed to be changed (gear)? If the van is an auto, it would have started moving when she took her foot off the brake. If it was a manual it would have lurched when she took her foot off the clutch. If in neutral, it wouldn't have moved although the engine would have revved.
Hey Creek Dog, totally off topic...just wanted to make sure you saw the comment from an "admirer" on a different story today. I think it was the one about the little girl's dad being questioned about her abduction from the school.
Sort of smells like a case involving a lady that I know, she ran over her boyfriend, twice, in his pickup. She's still in jail, in Texas.
Sort of smells like a case involving a lady that I know, she ran over her boyfriend, twice, in his pickup. She's still in jail, in Texas.
She got out of the van to make sure she was lined up right on him.
The dog did not hold down an accelerator pedal.
And no one gets out of their vehicle and leaves it in gear.
Whole story is not believable.
.
Enuff is enuff, woof woof...
Perfect! this is like a Gary Larson cartoon.
Obviously the evil cats in the neigbourhood have framed this poor boxer: Mr. Tinkles lives!
Police want to interview the dog but he has already "lawyered up".
I think the dog was upset about not getting enough treats
Say the investigation continues. Apparently the dog isn't cooperating and remains a "dog of interest". Betcha the cops will use "suck up" bloodhounds to frame Him. Sometimes this ain't a fit country for Man or Beast.
Why wasn't the car in park. How can a dog put a car in drive or reverse and kill a man.
It doesn't make any sense to me, but RIP to the man.
What a dog gone day the Floridian people are having.
The cops are OK with her story. They seem to think it is OK to leave a car in park, get half way out, foot slips, cars kills old man, and blame it on the dog. Looks like another case of: don't bother us, we've got other stuff to do. It is Florida after all.
Please don't hurt the dog. He didn't mean it. RIP.
Hurt em?...Hell women everywhere are trying to adopt him.
G-morning Scooter.
Man, you have some good ones dude. LMAO man.....
Hahahah Scooter! Good one!
maybe the guy had it coming....you dunno
Maybe they ought to post armed guards inside every vehicle in America. That way if a dog jumps in to run over their owner someone would be on hand to prevent it from happening.
I bet it was revenge.
yep that would be my guess he was probably coming back from the vets, and it turns out that whole Neutering" thing was a very bad idea.
Good one, Scooter dude... :)
Or he found out that all these years his master was feeding him the cheapest dog food that happened to be in the store.
The dog is a killer. Kill the dog.
ur an ass
hey cupake - it's called sarcasm :)
while some humor is considered dry...in this case it was dehydrated.
ahhhh, I get it thanx!
Too many people are killed by dogs.
They need to be banned, especially assult dogs... with big clips.
only if they LOOK dangerous ...
Always use the parking brake when you park. I've seen plenty of accidents (no fatalities thankfully) that could easily have been prevented by just putting on the parking brake.
UDunnoBro,
He (Campbell) was the passenger. It was a total freak accident because the driver was still behind the wheel when the dog stepped on the accelerator...
Sure. The dog did it. He looks guilty.
And no witnesses. Hmmm...
Might be a good idea, turns out the "Barking brake" certainly didn't work.
How about taking the car out of gear. This whole story sounds a little strange to me. I see an investigation coming.
I watched a driverless car roll across a parking lot right into the front of my (also driverless) car. The person argued that it wasn't her fault, she had left her car in first gear, so she didn't have to use the parking brake. She lost that argument, because I was driving a "stick" car at that time, also--she was parked on a downhill incline, too, aimed right at my car.
It's ok to put a car in park when leaning out of an open car door to check behind you for pedestrians, the "park" gear isn't going to wear out. Your foot can slip, your big dog could be in the area--use "park".
At least this time it wasn't a pit bull!
Wow...about as weird as it gets. I guess when it's your time...
This is why you should always use the emergency brake when you get out of your vehicle.
Ugh...
He (Campbell) was the passenger. It was a total freak accident because the driver was still behind the wheel when the dog stepped on the accelerator...
That's why you should always put your the car in park before opening your door (to look where someone is?).
GM Creekdog,
give it up, you know ,most never get past the headline and those who do rarely have any comprehension of what they read.
BTW...was this particular "dog" any kin ?
I don't know Scooter.
We'll know if they post any pictures of them all.......
GA scooter and creek,
how much is that doggie in the van!!!!
Dust the pedal for paw prints. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark...er, I mean Florida.
For some reason, I'm thinking she hit the gas instead of the brake and ran him over completely by accident.. I hope nothing happens to that dog - he's clueless. :( Sorry for everyone involved.
These comments are running flat.
A PEToFile! I Knew IT!
Hahaha! Put him on alist
Ban dogs!!!!! They are killing people. I bet the dog didn't even have a license.
ha-- you beat me to it.
Bet he did have a pedal permit.
I guess that's the easy way to get rid of the old man, just blame the dog. The dog ate my homework. The dog chewed up my slipper. The dog ran over my husband. Works for me.
An oldie, but a goodie:
A woman was watching a very strange funeral procession. Two hearses were traveling down the street, and behind the hearses walked a woman with a dog on a leash. Behind the woman was a line of about a hundred other women. Out of curiosity, the woman (who saw this), walked up to the woman with the dog and said, "I'm sorry to bother you at this time of sorrow, but I just must know what has happened."
The woman replied, "My husband and I got into an argument. The dog got very upset and attacked my husband and killed him. Then my mother-in-law ran into the room and tried to pull the dog off, and the dog killed her, too. She's in the second hearse."
The first woman nodded and walked along for a while. Finally, she said to the widow, "I'm sorry for your loss. However, I have a favor to ask. Can I borrow the dog?"
To which the widow replied, "Get in line."
I think we need to ban assault dogs.
Irrelevant and f*cking stupid.
Love it lol
Driving lessons in stead of obedience school.
I think Iris needs more lessons too
He stepped on the gas
Instead of the break
And shoved his owner
Into the gate
something sounds fishy here....im betting the woman did it and is blaming it on the dog...
Glad to see I'm not the only one who suspects that tale to be fictitious.
Why was the van in gear? 68 is not that old just sounds fishy to me. 1st time i have to desagree with you Creek Dog.
Wholly crap! How much does it take to put your vehicle in Park when you get out? Just plain sense - if it's in gear, it's just sitting there trying to inch forward. Dog just contributed the last item to make a complete tragedy - but the stage was set by the man.
Of course, this doesn't happen with a standard transmission - you have to have it in neutral to get out if the engine is running.
End comment: THINK! the life you save could be your own!
You're like the tenth person saying similar things. He was the passenger. Re-read the story.
To Creek dog. Obviously they mean the woman should have put it in "Park".
Really, opening the door to look around while the vehicle is still in gear? Not a good idea, ever.
Why you want to blame the dog? She was in control of the vehicle, opened the door and couldn't control the situation or the vehicle.
For the same reason people blame guns.
I want to see an executive order banning Boxer dogs. They're obviously instinctive killers.
Maybe he was shadow boxing the pedal?
Exactly! Was the dog neutered or did he have to many rounds in his clip?
@bubba and a---rand, LOL!
..."her large boxer came running toward the van and jumped in, pressing the accelerator" Call me skeptical, but if the vehicle is in reverse, someone's foot is on the brake pedal to keep the van from moving. Clearly the operators fault, whether accidental or deliberate - the driver did it - not the dog. The story makes it hard to believe that it's an accident, and considering it's Florida.........
Considering it is Florida, it probably was an accident.
It would be more believable to me if it was reported that the dog jumped onto the lap of the driver causing her to press down on the accelerator. Otherwise, I just don't see how the dog jumped into the car and immediately and accurately stepped on that one pedal.
For real! When I'm in the driver's seat of my truck not even a small dog could jump in and step on the accelerator. There is no room! And she says a big boxer was able to jump in and there was room around her legs to step on the accelerator? Yeah right lady!
we were taught to put the car in park when we are not in the vehicle..and most times put the parking brake on if it is running when we are out of the car. what a terrible accident but one that could of been prevented.
She was still in the car.
I think I would be looking a little closer at ol' Iris to see what she might have to gain by Mr. Campbell's death. This is just a bit to far fetched (no pun intended) for me to believe.
This is RUFF!!!
You sure it wasn't a Range Rover??
He was trying to Bark it!
Awwwwww...LOL
Man runs over dog, that's not news. Dog runs over man, That's News!!
Another murder!
We need a nationwide ban on vans!
Oh, and sentence the dog to probation, with a milk bone!
Vans don't kill. DOGS driving vans kill.
Never tell your dog your taking it to the vet to be neutered!