Zoie Gates

Zoie Beth Gates 

March 18 1999 - November 3 2001

Age: 2 years old 

Zoie was born on March 18, 1999 to Brittany and Jay Gates in Kansas, USA. Zoie was described as a shy, beautiful and happy little girl. She liked animals, her family, cuddles and playing outside. She has big brown eyes and dark curly hair. Many people would stop her family to tell them how beautiful she was. 

On November 3 2001, Zoie's father Jay laid her down for a nap in the back-seat of the four-door pick-up while he helped unload a truck of cattle that had just arrived for the following week’s sale. He turned the radio on to lull her and helped her settle in.

He and the crew – all doting fans of Zoie – could see the pick-up from where they worked just 40 yards away. Zoie was in the truck less than five minutes. Jay looked up and saw her standing in the back seat. He turned to eye the activity of the cattle and turned back to check on Zoie.

It happened in less time than it takes to turn around. Zoie stood and stretched through the window to play with a dog who eagerly sought her attention. In her maneuvers to reach the dog, Zoie leaned on the power window’s up-switch, causing the automatic window to roll towards its closed position – and taking her with it.

Her neck was pinned by the force of the window between the glass and the window jam. No one ran faster to Zoie than Jay. No one tried harder to save her, even though a local paramedic ran to the sale barn when she heard the call come across her scanner. The force of the power window was more than Zoie’s body could take.

Rest in peace Zoie.