A Brazilian man and his loyal dog companion tragically died in a car crash just days before completing the trip of a lifetime.
Jesse Kozechen, an Instagram influencer and self-proclaimed tramp, was 29 years old at the time of the crash. He and his Golden Retriever, Shurastey, died instantly on impact.
The adventurous duo are close to fulfilling a lifelong dream: to travel by car across the United States, from Brazil to Alaska. At the time of the accident, the two had just packed up their camp in Oregon and were preparing to drive to Canada. The ride is jokingly named “Shurastey or Shuaigow,” a play about “Should I stay or should I go?.”
The couple were riding in a 1978 Volkswagen Beetle and camping in a roof-mounted “pop-up” tent. The couple had tried this trip once before, but their plan was foiled at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic due to border entry restrictions. By all accounts, these two wandering souls were destined to travel the world together. According to Kozechen’s family, Shurastey has a crush on Jesse and the feelings are mutual.
The accident happened when Kozechen was trying to pass a line of stopped cars. Instead, he accidentally veered into oncoming traffic and collided with a Ford Escape carrying a woman and a child. According to all sources, the driver is currently hospitalized but is expected to make a full recovery. The child was not injured.
Kozechen and Shurastey were killed instantly, and photographs taken at the scene show their infamous Volkwagen completely destroyed. Although this accident happened to everyone involved, Kozechen’s friends and family found it a fitting tribute to their relationship that the pair crossed the tree together. rainbow rainbow.
Kozechen once said of Shurastey in an Instagram post: “My best friend, my partner and my best company.. without you I would be too lonely to live on this earth, so lucky for me to be able to see the love inside your eyes. you look back at me! ”
Members of the Kozechen community have shown love and support for the family in many ways. Some have shared sweet words on the couple’s Instagram or raised money for the family’s funeral. Others have created beautiful works of art depicting the two as they will be remembered: friends who adventure together until the very end.
Featured pictures: Instagram
