DENVER -- A Thornton man is fighting to survive after being injured in a car crash on E-470 Wednesday night.
Kenton Schminke was northbound on the toll highway, approaching Pena Boulevard, when his Cadillac Escalade veered off the pavement and into the median, rolling one and a half times.
"It went airborne," said Celisse Holman, the victim's wife.
Holman told Denver7 that her husband is in an induced coma at University of Colorado Hospital and that every organ in his body was injured.
Family members are praying for Schminke's recovery and for the return of his beloved Australian Shepherd, Dave.
The therapy dog disappeared after the crash.
"As a family, we are confident that Dave will have a power to help Ken recover, that no one else, no doctor, no medicine can provide for him," said Holman's son, Frankie Menna.
Holman said her husband and the Shepherd are definitely best friends.
"When Kent goes to work, Dave is at the door just depressed until his Dad get's home. When Dad get's home, (Dave) acts like he hasn't seen him in ten years. It's just crazy," she said.
"We joke about Dave being a four-legged person all the time," Menna said.
Menna has posted a flier about the missing dog on social media.
The medium-sized Shepherd is white, black and brown in color and about 7 years old.
It was last seen near E-470 and Pena Boulevard.
Family members believe the dog may still be in that area, but there is a possibility that he is traveling toward Thornton, thinking that's where his owner is.
If you spot this dog, please call the family.
Frankie Menna phone: 303-915-8787.
Celisse Holman phone: 720-576-0685.
