May 1, 2018 2 min read

A Midway man was injured Saturday afternoon in a car crash in Mt. Pleasant Township and his family is searching for two dogs who were in the vehicle with him.

Joshua Snatchko, 27, was driving east on Route 50 (Main Street) in Hickory, just east of Route 519, about 3 p.m. when witnesses said his vehicle drifted into the westbound lane, according to police Chief Louis McQuillan.

Thomas Brinegar, 38, of Wana, W.Va., was driving a tractor-trailer in the opposite direction. McQuillan said Brinegar swerved in an attempt to avoid Snatchko’s oncoming vehicle. The rig struck a utility pole, bringing down the pole and wires. McQuillan said the road was closed for about three hours.

Snatchko had to be freed from the wreckage by firefighters from Mt. Pleasant and Hickory. He was taken to UPMC-Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh, were he continued to receive treatment Monday, said his mother, Vicki Snyder.

The two dogs in Snatchko’s vehicle, his mom’s tan boxer, Tyson, and his white and brown American bulldog, Baxter, took off running in opposite directions.

The family took to social media for help in locating the dogs. Snyder said they received a report Sunday Tyson was seen in the Westland area.

“But when we got there, he was gone,” Snyder said. “That’s the only sighting of him that we’ve had. We’ve gotten a few calls about Baxter in the Cherry Valley area. I really wish they had stayed together.”

Snyder said she was out Monday looking for the dogs before heading to the hospital to visit her son.

“We were told that they tend to stay hidden during the day but may come out at night so we’ll be back out looking for them,” Snyder added.

A group that helps look for lost pets is coming out today to assist in the search.

Anyone who sees the dogs is asked to call Snyder at 724-747-9422 or Kim Snatchko at 724-344-9830.

Also assisting at the scene Saturday were ambulance crews from Fort Cherry and Southbridge and Smith Township police.