The family of a Minnesota man killed Tuesday in an accident on Interstate 94 near Medora is searching for a dog that was also in the vehicle.
Jerry and Celeste Roper of Lake City, Minn., were westbound on Interstate 94 when their SUV and a truck being driven by Kenneth Roemke of Goshen, Ind., also westbound, collided. The collision caused the Ropers' vehicle to roll into the ditch.
Jerry Roper died at the scene and Celeste Roper was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph's Hospital in Dickinson.
Family members are now concerned with finding Ranger, a brown and white springer spaniel.
"People did say they saw the dog go north over the hill, to the west of Buffalo Gap ... east of the exit and west of the campground," North Dakota Highway Patrol Officer Megan Christopher said.
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Park rangers at Theodore Roosevelt National Park are checking reports of a dog near Medora, Christopher said.
Bill Weist, the Ropers' son-in-law, said Jerry and Celeste Roper adopted Ranger from the pound. He was abandoned and abused.
Ranger, who was wearing a collar and tags, is about 5 years old and weighs 35 pounds.
Medora Police Chief John Bey has hope the dog will be found.
"Nobody in Medora that I know of has a springer spaniel," Bey said. "The word has been spread to people that live out in that area."
Weist said Celeste Roper is expected to be released from the hospital today.
Roemke was hauling parts of a mobile home, Christopher said.
Christopher said Roemke's vehicle and its oversized load were properly flagged on all four sides and alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
