Police Therapy Dog Dies In Head-On Crash In Tewksbury

TEWKSBURY, MA — A head-on crash in Tewksbury left two people injured and led to the death of a Wilmington Police Department therapy dog.

Police responded to Whipple Road near Wells Drive for a report of a two-vehicle accident at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The accident involved a Toyota Camry and a Mazda 3. Both drivers were taken by ambulance to local hospitals with injuries "that did not immediately appear to be life-threatening," according to a police statement.

A Wilmington police therapy dog, Zena, was seriously injured in the crash. Zena was taken by ambulance to Bulger Animal Hospital in Lawrence and later died.

An investigation found that the driver of the Mazda, a 26-year-old Westminster woman, crossed the double yellow line and struck the Toyota head on. A police department employee and handler of the therapy dog was driving the Toyota.

The Mazda driver will be summonsed for negligent operation of a motor vehicle and a marked lanes violation, police said.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Zena, a Bernedoodle, was three years old.

Wilmington police wrote: "It is with deep sorrow and regret that Wilmington Police announce the death of the department’s therapy dog, Zena, whose calming and gentle presence eased the minds and lightened the hearts of countless residents of all ages."

She was introduced to the department in January 2022, when she was just eight weeks old.

"Zena brought smiles to all who met her whether it be a visit to a community group, a school, the senior center, or walking around the annual Fun On The Fourth festival," police wrote in a statement.

Zena and her handler also made up the Wilmington Police Health & Recovery Unit, which builds relationships with individuals and helps residents with behavioral health, mental health, substance use, and development health issues.