Man Driving in ‘Dream State’ Kills Pedestrian and Dog in Hit-and-Run

It was just after 11 p.m. on a quiet Thursday evening when 37-year-old Victoria Cooper leashed up her dog for a short walk, something she’d done countless times before near her Rosendale home in upstate New York.

But this walk would be her last.

Authorities say Victoria was struck and killed by a man driving in what he later described as a “dream-like state” — a moment of terrifying clarity mixed with deep fatigue that cost a woman and her dog their lives.

A Walk That Ended in Tragedy

Victoria was walking along Route 32, a two-lane stretch often used by locals to get from town to town. She was with her golden retriever, Tucker — well-known and loved in the neighborhood.

At 11:15 p.m., police received frantic 911 calls reporting a pedestrian had been hit. When emergency crews arrived, they found Victoria unresponsive and Tucker severely injured. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Tucker survived the initial impact but died from his injuries days later.

The man who hit them stopped briefly — dazed, confused — and then drove away. He later turned himself in.

The Driver’s Story: A ‘Dream State’

The driver, a 29-year-old local man whose name has not been publicly released, told investigators he couldn’t remember the crash. He described feeling like he was asleep with his eyes open — driving on autopilot, unaware of his surroundings.

Police believe he had been awake for an extended period and may have been experiencing something akin to a waking blackout from sleep deprivation.

“He never saw her,” one officer said. “He never saw the dog. But the damage was already done.”

What Authorities Found

The man was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. He is being held without bail as investigators comb through security footage and witness reports. There’s also a second driver involved — a vehicle that ran over Victoria’s body after the initial impact — that police are still trying to identify.

“This was preventable,” said a police spokesperson. “Driving drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. People underestimate the risk.”

Community in Mourning

Rosendale is a town that feels more like a neighborhood — the kind of place where people still wave at each other from their front porches and know their mail carrier by name.

Now, residents are grieving.

“Victoria was the type of person who made you feel seen,” said a friend who left flowers at the scene. “She always had a smile, always asked about your day, and always — always — had time for Tucker.”

Over the weekend, dozens of people gathered for a candlelight vigil near the spot where she died. They held photos of Victoria, lit candles for Tucker, and shared stories about a life that made a difference — one person and one pet at a time.

A Reminder of the Risks of the Road

As the case continues to unfold, police are urging drivers to take sleep seriously.

“You can’t just push through exhaustion,” said the officer handling the case. “The brain doesn’t work that way. People think if they stay caffeinated or roll down a window, they’ll be fine. But that’s a myth. Drowsy driving kills — and this is the proof.”

What Happens Next

The accused driver is expected to appear in court next week. Prosecutors have not said whether additional charges will be filed, but they are investigating whether the man had any history of medical or mental health issues that could explain the episode.

As for the second driver, police are still searching. They believe that person may not have realized they hit a body, but they’re urging them to come forward.

“There’s a family grieving. A community grieving,” one officer said. “Coming forward is the right thing to do.”