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TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — A Twin Falls County sheriff's deputy has been hospitalized and his K-9 partner is missing after another vehicle collided with their patrol vehicle.
Idaho State Police tell The Times-News (http://bit.ly/149bXKt) that 35-year-old Stanton J. Wiggins of Filer was northbound on U.S. Highway 93 near Twin Falls in a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe about 6 p.m. Sunday when he was struck by another vehicle.
Wiggins was taken to St. Luke's Magic Valley Regional Medical Center by ambulance where he underwent hand surgery and was in stable condition Monday.
Sheriff's office spokeswoman Lori Stewart said police are searching for 17-month-old Drago, a Belgian Malinois, who joined the force last fall and is still in training.
She said Drago should not be approached.
"He's pretty freaked out," Stewart said.
Drago is described as tan with a darker head, and is wearing a training collar. Stewart said there is nothing identifying him as a police dog.
She said Wiggins went to Florida to pick up Drago after his previous K-9 partner, Flynn, retired. Flynn now lives at Wiggins' home, Stewart said.
She said Drago is being trained for both apprehension and sniffing out drugs.
Police said 29-year-old Michael A. Pulizzi of Jerome failed to yield at a stop sign and struck Wiggins' vehicle with his 1999 Ford Taurus, causing the Tahoe to roll and land on its roof. Police said Pulizzi and his passenger weren't injured.
Idaho State Police spokeswoman Teresa Baker said the crash is under investigation and couldn't release additional information on Monday.
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Information from: The Times-News, http://www.magicvalley.com
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