Tampa man, 23, dies after trying to save his dog from traffic, troopers say

A Tampa man died after he was struck by a car while trying to save his dog from traffic on Saturday night, troopers say.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, two vehicles were involved in a “minor” crash on U.S. 92 at the northbound entrance ramp to Interstate 75 about 9 p.m. that day. Shortly afterward, a 23-year-old man from Tampa arrived at the scene “at the request of his girlfriend,” who was involved in the collision, the Highway Patrol said in a news release.

When the man got out of his vehicle, his dog jumped out and ran into the road. The man was trying to retrieve the dog, a Doberman, when he was struck by a Honda CRV driven by a 31-year-old woman from Plant City, the news release states.

According to the Highway Patrol, the dog died at the scene. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. The Honda Driver was not hurt.

No further information was immediately available.