Samantha Cavanaugh Injured in Tewksbury, MA Crash That Killed Police Therapy Dog on September 24, 2025

On the morning of September 24, 2025, Wilmington Police Department clinician Samantha Cavanaugh sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a head-on vehicle collision in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. The crash occurred on Whipple Road near Wells Drive around 8 a.m. when a 26-year-old driver reportedly crossed into oncoming traffic and struck Cavanaugh’s Toyota Camry.

The accident also resulted in the death of Zena, a 3-year-old police therapy dog assigned to Cavanaugh. Despite being transported to Bulger Animal Hospital under Massachusetts' Nero’s Law, which permits ambulance transport of injured police animals, Zena succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the other vehicle is expected to face charges including negligent operation of a motor vehicle and a marked lanes violation. The investigation remains ongoing.