Dog of trucker who died in crash is found safe

MENOMONIE, Wis. (AP) -- A missing German shepherd has been found safe after its owner died in crash on Interstate 94 near Menomonie during Thursday's snowstorm.

KMSP-TV reports that Molly was the constant companion of a 45-year-old Minnesota trucker, John Philippi. His nephew, Andy Anderson, brought Molly to safety Saturday.

Philippi's family says he was driving toward Illinois and trying to avoid something ahead when his truck tipped and was struck from behind by another semi. He was on the phone with a friend and told her to hang on because he was going to crash. Both cabs were separated from their respective engine compartments on impact.

Molly survived and escaped the scene. The dog was spotted limping after the crash, but was checked out by a veterinarian and deemed healthy.