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Stephens County Sheriff K-9 dies after Sunday morning crash
Responding to an early Sunday morning accident, the Stephens County Sheriff office K9 Tuco passed away after attempts to save him were unsuccessful. According to Sheriff Wayne McKinney at approximately 4 a.m. deputies were responding to a car which was trapped in a ravine that was filling with water after a big storm hit the area. Two Stephens County sheriff vehicles were traveling to the scene when the first car hit a low spot of the road on Highway 29 according to McKinney and hydroplaned leaving the road into a ditch filled with water. McKinney said the vehicle did a 3/4 roll and caught fire with the second deputy following behind springing into action to help his fellow deputy. The other deputy was successful in being able to get the deputy out of the car and McKinney believes if he wasn’t there the scene could have been worse. “The other deputy pulled up behind him and the only reason my deputy is still alive today is because of the other one,” McKinney said. “He went under the water and was able to get the deputy out of that car and they tried several times to get the dog. The K9 units have a special area in the back to carry dogs to protect him and the public who come up to the cars, but they were unsuccessful getting the dog out of the car.”McKinney is sad about the passing of the dog but was able to report the deputy was treated for minor injuries and has been released from Duncan Regional Hospital. “He is going to be pretty sore, but he doesn’t have any significant serious injuries,” McKinney said. “We are real proud of that other deputy and I thank God that he was that close to him because we probably would have a deceased deputy.” Marlow Police who were on the way to the scene was able to help the Sheriff’s office and took control of the other scene according to Sheriff McKinney. McKinney said he had talked with Marlow Police and they said the other scene was clear and the people in the other vehicle are fine. K9 Tuco according to McKinney will have a small memorial service later, but nothing was announced at this time.
