06/25/07 — CROSSINGVILLE — An 18-year-old from Edinboro can thank a small dog for saving his life Sunday morning about 4 a.m. when he crashed his vehicle on North Mosiertown Road, just south of Route 98, Cussewago Township.
Hall was northbound when he failed to negotiate a left-hand curve. His car went off the east side of the road and struck a ditch. It continued north through a yard, sliding sideways until it struck a tree. The car then flipped several times, ejecting Hall from the vehicle. The car then came to rest, pinning Hall’s chest underneath the vehicle.
Teddy Bear a 15-pound mixed miniature Shih Tzu and Pomeranian owned by Dorothy Fuller, who lives in the area where the crash occurred, started barking when he heard the crash and Hall screaming in pain for help.
Fuller said she had been up about 3 a.m. and was trying to go back to sleep. She heard the crash, but thought the car had hit the mail box of Rev. Dennis Hendershot, pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Church of Crossingville. The box is hit frequently when motorists fail to negotiate the turn.
However, Teddy Bear started barking and would not quit, so she got up to investigate. It was then that she heard Hall’s screams.
She looked out the window, but could see nothing except a small light near the Hendershot home. She immediately called Hendershot, waking him up to question whether somebody had hit the mailbox again.
When he heard Hall’s screams, Hendershot ran to the vehicle and attempted to pick the car off, but was unable to do so. In the meantime, his wife, Helen, joined him and the two who still could not lift the car. She ran back to the house and called their neighbor, John Dinger. After calling 911 for help, Dinger and his son, Daniel, who was visiting from Baltimore, Md., went back to the scene.
The three men lifted the car off the victim and Helen Hendershot dragged Hall out from beneath the car. “I credit them with saving his life,” said Pennsylvania State Trooper Dale E. Gillette of the Meadville Barracks, who was the investigating officer.
Rev. Hendershot quickly dismissed any notion of being a hero. “I think that may be a bit of an exaggeration,” he said of the term. He noted he did what was needed — what anybody would have done.
He said if anybody is a hero it would have been the “lady across the street,” referring to Fuller. He said without her telephone call, he would never have heard the screaming.
“She’s the one who is the hero,” he said. “She’s the one who checked things out and heard him screaming.”
He noted his wife is a nurse and after dragging the victim out from under the car, she quickly got a blanket and pillow for Hall while they waited for the emergency crews.
Fuller in turn dismissed her role as significant, noting that had it not been for the dog’s continuous barking, she would never have gotten out of bed. Hendershot said it is not uncommon for people to hit his mailbox, noting it has been hit at least 10 times over the past 30 years. However, no one has ever been injured seriously.
Hall was taken to Hamot Medical Center, Erie, where he is listed in fair condition.
“I’m glad he’s apparently going to be all right,” said Hendershot. “Our prayers were answered,” said Fuller when told of Hall’s condition.
Assisting at the scene were Hayfield Volunteer Fire Department, Ediinboro VFD and Ambulance and a Life Star helicopter.
Jane Smith can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at jsmith@meadvilletribune.com.
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