At about 1 p.m., Lisbeth Fischer, 20, of Rhome, was northbound on U.S. 287, near the Tarrant County line, when she crossed over the median, over the southbound lanes, across another median and over the access road before crashing into a tangle of trees.
“She said she just skidded out of control,” said Department of Public Safety Trooper Fred Thornton. “She didn’t know what happened. It’s lucky she didn’t hit another car head-on or roll her jeep.”
Fischer suffered serious injuries in the wreck, although she was talking and alert. She was flown from the scene by an Air Evac LifeTeam helicopter to a Fort Worth hospital.
She wasn’t the only one on board. A medium-sized black and white dog was also in the vehicle with her. During the wreck, the dog was pinned between the seat and the passenger side door. Newark volunteer firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free it from the wreckage.
“When we arrived his head was trapped and his body wasn’t moving,” said Newark firefighter Jimmy Hachtel. “We pried him free with the jaws and he got up and started moving around.”
Hachtel held the shivering dog, bundled up in blanket, after the wreck.
“He’s just real scared, shook up and shivering,” Hatchel said. “But he’s OK.”
A Wise County Animal Control officer arrived to take the canine to the shelter. They will hold the dog until the owner or someone close to the owner can pick it up.
Wise County Sheriff’s Office, Rhome Police, DPS, Newark Volunteer Fire Department, Air Evac LifeTeam and Wise County Medics all responded.
(Wise County Messenger - January 16, 2013)
