Pregnant woman nearly hit by driver who fled after striking dog in Alexandria

Amanda Trotenberg was walking her dog along Commonwealth Avenue in Del Ray on Oct. 23 when a red sedan struck the animal and continued driving without stopping. The driver missed Trotenberg, who is eight months pregnant, by a narrow margin before accelerating away from the scene. The family is now asking for information to identify the motorist.

The dog, a three-year-old terrier named Asher, sustained three broken ribs and fractures in his leg and knee. Video footage from a veterinary emergency room shows the animal watching cartoons while recovering from the initial trauma. Trotenberg described the moment of impact, stating, “It was awful,” and added that the image of the car rolling over the dog remains vivid in her memory.

Trotenberg said the sedan sped through the intersection at high speed. She expressed hope that the driver will be located and educated on the importance of safe driving practices. “Calm down and drive slower,” Trotenberg said. “You hit a dog, you nearly hit a pregnant woman. I think there’s a lot we can do to make that intersection safer, too.”

Records obtained by News4 indicate that at least four other collisions have occurred at that specific intersection over the past ten years. Three of those incidents involved rear-end crashes, while the fourth involved a vehicle striking a pedestrian. The pattern of accidents suggests a potential safety issue at the location where Asher was injured.

Asher was found wandering and dehydrated on Ash Street two years ago, where Trotenberg took him in. He currently wears a protective cone for several more weeks to aid his recovery. Trotenberg noted that the dog is an energetic companion who will soon become a brother to her expected baby. “He’s just a sweet, sweet little energetic boy, and we’re excited for him to be a big brother for a baby on the way,” Trotenberg said.

Alexandria police have been contacted to determine if surveillance footage from the night of the crash exists. No response had been received as of the reporting date. The family continues to search for the driver to close the case and ensure the safety of others in the neighborhood.