Man who lost dog in car crash that took his ability to walk to be reunited with pet

MIDDLESEX, N.C. — It was a day-after-Christmas miracle: after a crash so severe it damaged a man's spine and totaled his car, his dog, who was with him in the crash, has been found unharmed.

Chandler Ray's life changed dramatically after a severe car accident on Monday, December 23, 2019.

He was driving home to Greenville after visiting his girlfriend in Raleigh when the crash damaged his spine. According to his mother, he is now paralyzed from the waist down.

He was traveling with his dog, Rufus, and according to Ray, the 150-pound black Newfoundland survived the accident, but ran off into the woods in the aftermath.

The crash happened near Mile Marker 28 on eastbound U.S. Highway 264, at the Country Doctor exit sign.

There were sightings in the area of a large black dog, including one from a woman in Bailey, NC, who called to report what she saw.

We received official word from the family as Chandler's mother confirmed it: the dog in Bailey was indeed Rufus.

A later update to the fundraiser for Chandler shares that Rufus was examined by a veterinarian-- and is fine. After a thorough check, he appears only to be bruised.

"Rufus is all clear! Vet is releasing him!" read a post to the fundraiser. "Thank you all for prayers!"

As for Chandler, seriously injured, as of Thursday he remained in the intensive care unit at WakeMed, with his mother, Kathy Ray, by his side.

"I have to be with my son right now and have no help to search [for Rufus]," Kathy Ray said in a plea posted online while the search was still going on. "If anyone could help us find Rufus I know that will give my son some hope and help in his healing as we adjust to this tragedy."

Due to the severity of his injuries, people close to Chandler said he badly needed the peace of mind that would come from knowing his beloved dog was OK.

His girlfriend, Elizabeth Speidel, said, "I think it’s really important when someone’s injured like this, that they’re having positive thoughts. That helps a lot in the healing process."

She said Ray was not just worried about himself, but was also deeply concerned about Rufus, whom he considers his best friend.

According to the online fundraiser for Chandler Ray, he was in the process of moving and looking for a job when the crash upended his life.

The rental home he was moving to is two stories, with the bathroom and bedrooms upstairs. Carolyn "Kiki" Bourbeau, the woman behind Ray's fundraiser, says Ray will now need a wheelchair, ramp, and a one-story home.

One that he will share with his best friend.

"Can’t wait to see (Rufus) reunited with his Daddy - Chandler," Bourbeau's post on the fundraiser reads. "That may be a while but will continue to keep everyone updated."