K-9 that survived Ligonier crash that killed handler dies

The K-9 that survived a Westmoreland County crash that killed his police handler in 2015 has died.

Mary Beth Eslary, the widow of Lt. Eric Eslary, announced Blek died of cancer six months after he was diagnosed with the disease.

Background: Driver & passenger drank, went to strip club night of crash that killed officer

Blek was retired and living with the Eslarys. Mary Beth Eslary has previously said Blek struggled because of injuries he suffered in the crash.

“Of course Blek is my hero,” she wrote. “I may have been the last to kiss my husband, but Blek heard his voice last and heard Eric take his last breath. Blek saved me; I cried many tears on his coat.”

Related: Hero German shepherd takes bullet for teenager in home invasion

Clair Fink of Ligonier was sentenced to 12 to 30 years in prison for drunkenly driving the wrong way on Route 30 near Idlewild Park and hitting Eslary's cruiser head-on.

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