Pocatello, Idaho – Idaho State Police are investigating a single vehicle crash that took the lives of two Phoenix, Arizona residents on Friday morning on Interstate 15. The pair were travelling with 48 dogs to be delivered to an animal shelter in Canada.
The driver, Christopher Kracht, age 40, and passenger, Ann Watson, age 38, were traveling northbound in a Ford Econoline box truck when the vehicle left the interstate on the left shoulder, went into the median and struck an embankment. No other vehicles were involved.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Watson was pronounced dead on scene. Kracht was transported via air ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, where he also succumbed to his injuries. Kracht was wearing a seatbelt, Watson was not.
Information given to investigating troopers is the rented box truck being driven by Mr. Kracht was part of a nonprofit animal rescue network. 48 dogs of mixed breeds and sizes were being transported inside the truck. The dogs were being taken to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for adoption. All the dogs appeared to have been in kennels. Investigating troopers say 14 of the dogs were also found deceased.
At this time, approximately 16 animals are unaccounted for.