Police say truck driver George Guerrero of New Jersey was shot and killed while he was driving his big rig on Interstate 10 Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday.
Guerrero's dog, Aria, was in the truck with him at the time of the shooting and was unharmed. On Tuesday, Guerrero's family was reunited with his closest companion.
Aria has been staying at Jacksonville's Animal Care and Protective Services since Guerrero died. Action News Jax's Kaitlyn Chana was there when the family picked her up and Aria is now on her way home.
Guerrero’s family said Aria loved traveling across the country with Guerrero in his semi. His cousin, Blanca Clendenin, said Guerrero rescued Aria as a puppy and the two of them were inseparable.
"I'm worried about her and her well-being and how she is going to do without my cousin," Clendenin said.
Aria was taken to Animal Care and Protective Services after Clendenin said her family received a phone call from police saying Guerrero was shot three times in a road rage incident.
"Every time I get out on the highway, I just keep looking, could that be it, could that be him?" Clendenin said.
Police believe the shooter was driving a semi with an orange cab carrying a white trailer. Guerrerro's family said nobody will be ever to replace him.
“Don't be afraid to face the consequences. Take responsibility for what you did to a father, a brother and uncle, a good man, a good man that was very well-loved, a fellow trucker,” Clendenin said.
Aria will be taken to Guerrero's 21-year-old son. Clendenin said the family has lost five people in the past year. They're asking for help with Guerrero's funeral costs.
