One Moment Changed Everything for a Roseville Woman and Her Service Dogs

In one instant, a Roseville woman’s entire world shifted on the intersection of Firestone Drive and Glenwood Circle. Linda Sekany, who relies on service dogs to navigate daily life as someone with a hearing disability, was struck by a truck last Wednesday. She thought the driver had seen her. She was wrong.

Sekany was out with four dogs that day: Jersey, her service dog and lifeline; Dugan, a canine companion breeder; Lafter, her pet; and Karat, a foster. She watched the truck come to a stop, believed it was safe to cross, and then watched it pull forward anyway. The impact threw her 5 to 6 feet and sent her into shock. But her own injuries were nothing compared to what came next.

Only Karat walked away unharmed. Dugan died of cardiac arrest while Sekany was being treated at the hospital. Jersey, the dog whose presence meant independence and function and everything Sekany needed to move through the world, suffered a crushed pelvis so severe she had to be euthanized. Lafter survived hip surgery but then developed severe pneumonia, his immune system ravaged by trauma and repeated procedures. The physical toll on the dogs was devastating. The emotional toll on Sekany is immeasurable.

What makes this tragedy particularly cruel is the timeline required to replace what was lost. It takes multiple years to receive a certified service dog. Jersey wasn’t just a pet—that dog was her access to independence, her ability to function. Without Jersey, Sekany says she feels trapped in her home, unable to navigate the world the way she did before. A longtime volunteer with Canine Companions and Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Sekany understands better than most how long the road ahead is.

The driver remained at the scene and first responders were called, but as of the article’s publication, Roseville police hadn’t responded with details about what caused the collision. A GoFundMe page was started to help Sekany during this difficult time. What happened in those seconds—whether it was a mechanical failure, driver error, or simple negligence—may eventually be explained. But for Sekany, the explanation won’t bring back Jersey or undo the loss. It will only serve as a reminder of how quickly everything can change at a single intersection.