HARTFORD — A 5-year-old German Shepherd named Ace died from injuries suffered when he jumped out of the bed of a moving pickup on Interstate 89 in Hartford on Friday evening.

The pickup’s driver has been cited in the incident. Adam Howard, 33, of Leicester, N.C., faces misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and disorderly conduct.

Ace slipped out of his collar after being improperly leashed in the bed of his pickup and jumped onto northbound I-89 around 5:40 p.m., according to a news release from Vermont State Police. Other I-89 motorists stopped to try to help but were unable to capture the dog before was it struck by a vehicle in the southbound lane.

A good Samaritan transported Ace to Save’s Emergency Care in Lebanon, where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.

Howard had been unaware that Ace had jumped out and continued driving north, police said. Troopers “eventually made contact” with him.

“Investigation revealed that Ace was tethered in a way that was detrimental to his welfare,” according to the news release.

Howard was cited to appear in Windsor County Superior Court in Woodstock on Dec. 31 to face the charges.