Community Searching for Cooper After Teen’s Horrific Crash
Teen Survives Horrific Crash, But His Dog Cooper Is Still Missing
What should have been a weekend full of graduation celebrations turned into every parent’s worst nightmare for one Central New York family.
Trenton had been at a friend’s camp in Hinckley after graduation. Early the next morning, he was heading to work when everything changed. Just past the flashing 45 mph school sign near West Canada Valley on Route 28, his vehicle hit the bank. He tried to correct it, but it was too late. The car flipped onto its roof and slid roughly 40 yards. He was only about five miles from home.
Trenton was airlifted to Upstate Hospital in Syracuse, where doctors spent 3 to 4 hours stitching his face back together. His injuries were severe. He lost part of his left ear, suffered a deep tear above his right eye, and had major injuries to his face and jawline, along with a cut on his right shoulder that required stitches. His family says they were never told exactly how many stitches were in his face, but they believe it could easily be around 100.
Thursday was Trenton’s 18th birthday. Not exactly how anyone wants to celebrate becoming an adult, but the important thing is he’s still here.
The Search for Cooper Took Over the Community
As heartbreaking as Trenton’s injuries are, there’s another piece to this story that has hit people just as hard. His dog Cooper has been missing since the crash.
Cooper, a 4-year-old golden retriever with long, wavy, light-red hair and blonde underneath, was riding with Trenton at the time of the accident. The man who pulled Trenton from the vehicle said Cooper ran out when the door was opened. At first, he was seen circling the car, but with all the commotion, he eventually ran toward the treeline near Castle Road in Newport. Since then, there have been no confirmed sightings.
And that’s what has made this even tougher for the family. Trenton had barely been in his hospital room for two hours when someone prank-called, claiming Cooper had been found. His mom says finding Cooper was the one thing that could have brought him some comfort in that moment, and that someone turning it into a joke was beyond cruel.
Friends, Coaches, Strangers, and Even Drones Joined the Search
What started with a handful of Trenton’s friends and coaches looking for Cooper quickly turned into something much bigger. According to the family, 10 to 20 people searching turned into what felt like the entire town, and then the entire Facebook community.
People have been sending messages, sharing posts, checking listings, and doing everything they can to help. The family says they’ve been overwhelmed by the support, not just from people who know Trenton, but from strangers who simply wanted to help.
At one point, the family even reached out to Frank McCully with CNY SKY Drone Services, who spent two hours using drones to search for Cooper. They didn’t find him, but the offer still stands to search again if there’s a confirmed sighting.
Right now, the family has food, water, toys, and blankets with familiar scents placed at three locations, hoping Cooper finds his way back. They’ve also posted a $500 reward for his safe return.
Community Support Is Helping This Family Get Through the Unthinkable
There is also a GoFundMe set up to help with Trenton’s recovery and the continued search for Cooper. His mom Julie says the support has been incredible, watching donations quickly climb as people rally around her son and their family.
For now, the family is focused on Trenton’s recovery and holding onto hope that Cooper will still come home.
If you’re in the Newport, Middleville, or West Canada Valley area, keep your eyes open for Cooper. One sighting could be the break this family desperately needs.
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