Molly Claire dogs 1

Seth and Olivia Hatfield and their dogs, Claire (black and white) and Molly, were in a wreck on I-65 near Exit 299 on June 29, 2014. Seth's ok, physically, but Olivia is in a coma at UAB, and the dogs bolted from the wreck scene. Dozens of friends of the Nashville couple and hundreds of strangers in the Cullman area have joined in the on-going search for the dogs. (Courtesy/Find Molly & Claire!)

Molly, right, and Claire curl up in the back seat of their owners Seth and Olivia's Honda Civic as the family drove to Dothan, Ala., to visit Olivia's parents on June 27, 2014. Two days later, on Sunday, June 29, 2014, as they returned up I-65 to their Nashville home, the car and a truck collided, crashing the car into a tree and sending the panicked dogs running. (Courtesy/Seth Hatfield)

CULLMAN, Alabama – When you're in the Cullman area, especially around Dodge City and Mile Marker 297 and 298 on I-65, keep an eye out for a lop-eared black and white dog, Claire, possibly running with her housemate, a gray Weimaraner, Molly.

The two pets fled – in two different directions – from the wrecked car of their owners, Seth and Olivia Hatfield, on June 29, 2014, on I-65, between Mile Markers 297 and 298. The Hatfields' Honda Civic and a tractor trailer truck collided, pushing the little car off the road. The car spun out of control and smashed, driver's side first, into a tree. Olivia, who was driving, remains in a coma with head injuries at UAB. Seth escaped with minor injuries. But the dogs scattered.

"We're worried," said Elliott Thomas of Nashville, who grew up with Olivia in Dothan, Ala., and is coordinating a search for the animals via a Facebook group, "Help Find Molly & Claire!" "We know that Claire has been sighted numerous times since the wreck near Exit 299, but she's terrified and runs away. And we're really worried about Molly. She was on the same side of the car as Olivia, in the back seat, so it's very likely she is hurt, too. We'd love to see her right about now."

Hundreds of friends and strangers have distributed flyers in the area, set humane live traps with food, and spend hours crawling through underbrush, calling and listening. Elliott and others have been able to raise enough money to pay expenses and fees for Jordina Thorp Ghiggeria, a nationally respected tracker, with her three dogs, to come help. Thorp Ghiggeria is beginning the drive from New Jersey Monday morning, Elliott said.

"Since we were able to raise the money, we contacted the best – this is such a complex situation," Elliott said. "Consider it all: The wreck, the sirens, one of the busiest interstates around during a holiday week, two dogs bolting in different directions – and then all the fireworks from the Fourth of July. We're keeping our fingers crossed."

Olivia, an Auburn graduate, is now an algebra teacher at Antioch High School near Nashville. Seth is an auditor for Metro Nashville. The Hatfields probably aren't in the mood for celebrating, but their first wedding anniversary is today, July 6, 2014. They had been on the way back from Dothan, Ala., where they had been visiting Olivia's family.

The outpouring of help from volunteers – most of them strangers – has been overwhelming, Elliott said.

"All from these people who love animals and have compassion for this situation – it's such a tragic experience one the one hand," Elliott said. "Seth is just a wreck – and yet, there is this flood of caring from all these people. It kind of helps balance it out."

Anyone sighting one of the dogs is invited to call 585-752-1700, a 24-hour hot line donated by a shelter in New York that will get messages to Elliott. Sightings can also be reported on the "Find Molly & Claire!" Facebook page.