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A man has died after a dog jumped into a van, stepped on the accelerator and struck him as he opened a gate outside a Florida Panhandle home, according to officials.

The Florida Highway Patrol says Iris Fortner, 56, and James Campbell, 68, were backing into their driveway at their home in Cantonment on Monday when Campbell got out of the passenger side of the vehicle to open the metal gates.

Troopers said Fortner opened the driver's door to see where Campbell was standing, and that's when Fortner's large boxer bull dog jumped into the car and pressed the accelerator.

FHP says Fortner tried to stop the van before the vehicle backed into Campbell, but he was trapped under the van.

Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene by Escambia County paramedics.