Benelli, a red Australian Shepherd, and her owner, Athena Hinkle, from Wilmington, N.C., were traveling on I-20 through Kershaw County on Jan. 12 on their way to visit family in Alabama. It was dark and raining outside but Hinkle felt safe as she drove with Benelli. She and Benelli have a special bond that was formed in 2016 when Benelli was a small pup and still with her litter.