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  (Photo: Reuters/The Philippine Animal Welfare Society)
  A pit bull is shown in this file photo.

A Florida man was killed this week after a dog accidentally ran over him with a car.

James Campbell was killed on Monday morning while attempting to open the metal gates of a residence. Campbell was a passenger in a 1995 Chevrolet van. He was being driven by 56 year-old Iris Fortner.

Florida Highway Patrol said in a report that Fortner was attempting to back the van in when Campbell exited the van to open the metal gate, according to the North Escambia news, a local paper. Fortner also allegedly opened her door, to asses where Campbell was standing, when her large boxer dog jumped into the car.

The dog managed to get to the foot of the driver's seat, where it stepped on the car's accelerator, forcing the car to speed in Campbell's direction.

"Campbell was struck and killed, and the vehicle stopped with him being trapped underneath," the Pensacola News Journal, another local paper, stated.

Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene by Escambia County Emergency Medical Services. Fortner, who was described as a "partner" by the Daily Mail, stated that attempted to prevent the car from hitting Campbell but was not near enough.

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Fortner was not charged after the incident.

Many shared their prayers and condolences, stating that it was a "tragic accident." Others suggested that the story seemed too "suspicious" to be true.

One online blogger claimed to be a close friend of Campbell.

"For those who don't know James W. Campbell is better known in the area as BO
Campbell," one user wrote on the North Escambria blog. "He has two brothers Charlie and Jim. They all lived in Cantonment."

The user also said that Campbell was a local and loyal friend.

"Bo graduated from Tate served in Vietnam," the user wrote. "He has two children and four grandchildren. If you ever needed a friend he would be there. Thanks for the memories."