A guide dog died as he attempted to push a 4-year old boy to safety, after a speeding car failed to stop at a stop light in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dave Furukawa was the owner of the boxer named Simon, and was walking his son, Will, to school, when the incident happened. Dave is visually-impaired.

When father, son and guide dog crossed Brownwood avenue in Atlanta, a red Chrysler ran across a stop light and proceeded to strike down Simon, and then Dave.

Witnesses say they saw Simon try to push the boy so that he wouldn't be injured. It seemed like his protective instincts kicked in, even though it would prove to be painful, and even fatal, to him. Simon got up and pushed Dave's son out of the car's path. The owner has said that what Simon did was a true act of loyalty and courage.

It was at this point when bystanders took Will from the street and into his home. Despite his injuries which included internal bleeding, Simon managed to get up and follow the pair home to make sure they were safe.

Simon had a gash on his side, a broken leg and was bleeding internally, but he still followed them home. It was only after he was sure that the boy was okay that he lay down.

Members of the family then attempted to rush Simon to the vet, but the Boxer passed away in the car, on the way.

Atlanta police has identified the man who ran across the stop sign. Calvin Armour, has been cited with running a stop sign as well as failure to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

The Pilot Dogs inc., who gave Simon to Dave, have said that they will give another guide dog to Dave.