Emotional Support Dog for Local Veteran Killed in Rideshare Accident
A U.S. Army veteran is mourning the loss of his emotional support dog after the animal was struck and killed by a rideshare vehicle Tuesday evening, according to local authorities. PHOTO: Provided
TOWNSHIP — A U.S. Army veteran is mourning the loss of his emotional support dog after the animal was struck and killed by a rideshare vehicle Tuesday evening, according to local authorities.
Police say the incident occurred just after 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Third Street, where a vehicle operating as part of a rideshare service failed to yield while making a right turn, hitting the dog as it crossed the street alongside its owner.
The dog, a five-year-old German shepherd named Sol, had been certified as an emotional support animal for Daniel Mercer, a 58-year-old veteran who served two tours overseas. Mercer told reporters that Sol had been with him "every day, everywhere" since his return home.
"He was trained to recognize panic attacks before I even could," Mercer said. "When things got bad, he grounded me. He kept me here."
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing Mercer kneeling in the crosswalk after the impact, holding the dog until emergency responders arrived. Sol was transported to a nearby veterinary clinic but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
According to police, the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. No criminal charges have been filed as of Wednesday morning, though the incident remains under review.
In a statement, the rideshare company involved said it was aware of the incident and was cooperating with local authorities. The company declined to comment further, citing privacy concerns.
Veterans' advocates say the loss goes far beyond that of a pet.
"An emotional support animal can be the difference between stability and crisis," said Laura Kim, director of the Township Veterans Outreach Center. "For many veterans, these animals are medical support, not companions in the casual sense."
Friends and neighbors have since organized a small memorial at the intersection where the accident occurred, leaving flowers, dog tags, and handwritten notes. A fundraiser created to help Mercer cover veterinary expenses and training for a future support animal surpassed $12,000 within 24 hours.
Mercer said he has not yet decided whether he will seek another support animal.
"Right now," he said, "I'm just trying to figure out how to walk into my apartment without Sol waiting at the door."