A highly regarded oral surgeon died in a freak car wreck after he smashed into an elk on an Idaho highway.
Dr. Mark E. Baker was driving his 2022 BMW Z4 down Interstate 15 in Pocatello when he struck the animal as it ran into the road just before 9:30 p.m. Monday, according to police.
Baker, 66, was pronounced dead at the scene. It’s unclear if he was wearing his seatbelt, the Idaho State Journal reported.
He practiced with the Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho in Pocatello for decades, with the company posting a heartfelt tribute to him on Friday.
“To his patients, he was a trusted surgeon who brought compassion, kindness, and dedication to every person he treated,” the company wrote on Instagram.
“To his team, he was a respected colleague, mentor, and friend. To the community, he was a physician who believed deeply in serving others.”
The post was flooded with comments from colleagues and loved ones celebrating Baker’s devotion to his work and his warm personality.
“He was a great man and an amazing surgeon. I’m glad I had the opportunity to work for him and watch him change lives,” one co-worker wrote.
“He made such a meaningful impact on our dental community and will be deeply missed,” said another.
Roughly 200 people in the US die each year from car wrecks involving large animals like deer, elk and moose, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Elks are one of the largest species in the deer family. Adult male elk can weigh over 700lbs and adult females typically weigh more than 500lbs.
The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police did not return a request for comment.
Read the full article here
