Community rallies around woman, dog after they were hit by car
By DeAndria Turner
Click here for updates on this story
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — A woman and her dog are facing a long recovery after they were hit by a truck last week, but neighbors in NuLu say the close-knit community is stepping up to help them heal.
Kristin Campbell and her dog, Lucy, were hit Friday night at the intersection of Main and Shelby streets. Both were injured, and witnesses say the moments after the crash were chaotic and frightening.
“You heard a scream,” said Tracey Powers, who was nearby when it happened. “I turned around and saw something in the street.”
That “something” was Campbell and Lucy, a familiar sight in NuLu. Lucy, known for her pink hair, is something of a neighborhood celebrity. Campbell and her dog are daily regulars at local businesses, including The Dog Shop.
“They come every day, sometimes twice a day,” said owner Chris Roark. “They’re family to us.”
Friends who witnessed the crash rushed to help, loading Lucy into a car and rushing her to emergency veterinary care while Campbell was treated for her injuries.
“To see it happen was traumatic,” Powers said. “There was real fear about whether Lucy was going to make it.”
Campbell has since returned home to recover. Lucy remains in critical care with three pelvic fractures and lung injuries, though friends say she is showing signs of improvement.
“She’s eating and she’s barking,” Powers said. “That’s huge.”
The NuLu community has launched a GoFundMe to help cover medical and veterinary expenses as both recover from injuries no one expected.
“We’re hoping to raise enough so money isn’t something they have to worry about while healing,” Roark said.
For those who know them best, the response has been overwhelming but not surprising.
“They’re our family,” Roark said.
In NuLu, neighbors say, a best friend isn’t just a dog, it’s the community that shows up when it matters most.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.