Grand Prairie Police

NTX Man Seriously Injured in Car Crash Hopes Therapy Dog Will Help Him Walk Again

When Aaron Smith got into a single car crash in Grand Prairie on his way home from a cross country holiday trip, he thought of one thing; his dog. "I wanted to make sure he was ok," said Smith. "I was supposed to take care of him."

Smith got the mixed breed dog he named "Clark Kent" as a therapy pet to help him deal with depression. Now, Clark will have to draw from his superhero alter ego. The crash left Smith with incomplete paralysis. He has some feeling, but no movement. 

"I was like a half an hour from home," Smith explained about the crash last Tuesday morning. "Next thing I knew, I kinda lost control."

It happened on 1-30 at 161. Smith his a guard rail. Paramedics found Clark underneath Smith, uninjured. Police say they don't know what caused the single car crash, but say it appears to simply have been an accident and that alcohol was not a factor.

Last Wednesday, Clark visited the city's Public Safety Building to personally thank his heroes - with big kisses.

The first responders were happy to see Clark and that he’s doing so well again.

Since then, he's been by Smith's side in the hospital for daily visits.

"Recovery has so much to do with attitude and the amount of joy you experience," explained Methdist Dallas Medical Center nurse Ashley Degroot. "Sometimes that's hard to come by when you're in the hospital."

Smith said he looks forward to a day when he can take Clark on walks to the dog park. 

"You need people in life. You need somebody to take care of and to take care of you," Smith said.

Smith leaves for Houston on Wednesday for rehabilitation. There is a fundraiser at The Breakroom in Crowley on Wedneday from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. A GoFundMe account has also been set up to help Smith with his rehab expenses. 

Contact Us