California Mother, 86, Dies After Rushing Into Traffic to Save Pet

An 86-year-old California woman died Friday night after she ran into traffic to save her dog, which had been struck by another vehicle. The incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. on Waalew Road in Apple Valley.

Mary Wear, also known as “Meeka,” was fatally hit by a car while trying to help her pet dog, Benji, who was injured in a prior collision.

Wear was a mother of seven, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother of nine. According to a GoFundMe created to support her memorial, she was described as "the heart of her family" and "a woman whose warmth, kindness, and love touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her."

Even at 86 years old, Wear remained active and had recently been involved in opening the Buc N Doe Restaurant in Fawnskin with her daughter and granddaughter. The GoFundMe aims to create a memorial for Wear and her two sons who passed away before her. She had reportedly made arrangements for her own cremation.

The driver who struck Wear remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Officials stated that alcohol and drugs were not factors in the collision.