Tragic Crash on White Pass Ends With Lots of Puppy Love

A tragic crash on Highway 12 near the top of White Pass March 12 has a happy ending say officials with the Naches Fire Department. Authorities have identified the man killed in the crash as 51-year-old Michael Swett of Kennewick.

SWETT WAS FOUND DEAD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEEP EMBANKMENT BUT HE WASN'T ALONE

He died at the scene after his vehicle plunged 250 feet down an embankment last Tuesday. But he wasn't alone in the vehicle. He was riding with three puppies who have all now been found and reunited with family members.

 THE FIRST PUPPY WAS FOUND UNHARMED WHEN SWETT'S BODY WAS REMOVED

According to the Facebook page of the Naches Fire Department the first puppy was found near the wreckage when Swett's body was removed last Wednesday, March 13. The next day a person was driving near the summit of the pass when they noticed a small puppy on the side of the road. The driver stopped and picked up the dog and took it home. After learning of the crash the driver took the dog to the Naches Fire Department where it was reunited with the first dog found at the scene of the crash.

THE STORY DIDN'T END THERE....ANOTHER PUPPY WAS FOUND

On Monday family members were driving from the west side of the state to attend funeral services when they stopped at the accident scene to construct a memorial.

FAMILY MEMBERS STOPPED AT THE SCENE TO PUT UP A MEMORIAL

The Naches Fire Department Facebook page says as family members were looking over the guardrail they "noticed a crow hopping down a log. Someone looked a little closer and said, "That's not a crow! That's Sissy!"
Family members of Swett then called the Washington State Patrol for help in retrieving the last puppy!

THE PUPPY WAS FOUND UNHARMED AND REUNITED WITH FAMILY MEMBERS

Troopers say "because the puppy was only about 50 yards down the hill from the highway, we were able to rappel down and retrieve the puppy without incident or assistance. The puppy was in good shape and was reunited with Swett's fiance. Naches Fire Department officials say it was the ending many had hoped for and they're happy they could help.