Runner Rescues Dog But Killed By Unrelated Crash

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (AP) - Authorities in California say a runner who rescued a stray dog from traffic was then struck and killed by an SUV in an unrelated crash.

Orange County Sheriff's Lt. Ted Boyne tells the Orange County Register that 48-year-old Mara Steves spotted the dog in the road at about 11 a.m. Sunday in Laguna Niguel and was kneeling on the sidewalk with it when two sport utility vehicles collided nearby. Boyne says at least one of the vehicles rolled onto the sidewalk and hit her.

Boyne tells the Los Angeles Times that it appears the crash had nothing to do with the dog.

The animal ran off after the collision.