JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — First Coast News is learning more about the woman hit and killed by a car while trying to help two injured dogs on Mt. Pleasant Road in Jacksonville's Fort Caroline Shores area on Tuesday night.
76-year-old Linda Cordray was identified by family as a grandmother, mother, wife and friend.
They described her as having an infectious smile and someone who was dedicated to helping all living beings.
The crash that took her life happened around 9 p.m. Tuesday.
According to investigators, Cordray was attempting to cross Mt. Pleasant Road to help two dogs that were lying in the median injured after being hit by a car.
Unfortunately, while crossing Cordray was also struck by a car and killed. The dogs died and were removed by Animal Care Protective Services Wednesday afternoon. The driver of the car stayed on the scene and cooperated with police.
Her family sent the following statement to First Coast News;
"We are heartbroken at the loss of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Linda Cordray, affectionately known by her loved ones as Mammy. Mammy's infectious smile was a gift to all who met her, and her inspirational devotion to family and all living creatures was evident throughout her life. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support in her memory and appreciate privacy as we continue to process this intense loss."
"She surely was a kind hearted person to stop and want to help dogs that were in distress," said Denise Deisle, said CEO at the Jacksonville Humane Society. "It is such a normal reaction when you're seeing any other living being in distress or in pain or hurting, to respond emotionally."
Leaders with the Jax Humane society says they understand the desire to help.
But the tragic accident sheds lights on the importance of calling professionals to assist in situations that could become dangerous.
"You're much better off being that person to make the phone call contact the right people. So that a they can get there and safely respond to it and quickly get the dogs where they were going to get the care they needed," Deisle said.
The City's Animal Care and Protective Services responds to calls for animal service That number is (904) 630-CITY (2489)
Cordray's death marked the 36th traffic fatality in Duval County this year and the 9th fatality involving a pedestrian.