ROLLINSFORD — Rachael Mills said her life revolved around her beloved dog, Havana, until everything changed March 25. Mills and Havana were struck by a vehicle “steps away” from her home.
Mills, 31, sustained serious injuries. Havana, a 3-year-old boxer, did not survive.
“I looked both ways a million times like I always do. The next thing I know, I’m on the ground,” Mills said in an interview Monday. Police said the accident was in the area of 114 Oak St. at about 5:18 p.m.
Mills said she had just arrived home from work on a “normal” Tuesday. Havana had been in the house all day, so she decided to take her on a walk. Mills put on Havana’s bright pink harness and headed out the door.
Mills said she remembers being unable to see anything after the accident, but she knew there were people around her. She kept calling for Havana. She said her memory is “foggy,” and she’s unsure if she was unconscious at any point. She’s certain she kept asking about Havana.
“She was my entire world. She was all I had. I know she stayed with me (after the accident),” Mills said.
Mills was initially transported to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, then flown to Boston because of a traumatic brain injury. Havana was transported to Port City Veterinary Referral Hospital, where the emergency veterinary team tried to save Havana’s life but were unsuccessful because of “internal injuries” from the accident, according to Mills.
‘I woke up from surgery and was told Havana was dead’
When Rachael Mills awoke from surgery, she again asked what had happened, and “where’s Havana?” Her mother and sister looked at each other and told her Havana had passed away. She is heartbroken over the loss of her best friend.
“I just want people to know she was more than just a dog, she was my life,” Rachael Mills said. “I’m just trying to remember her.”
Mills said she sustained a small brain bleed, which doctors are monitoring. She also sustained a fractured rib and shoulder, as well as broken fibula and tibia bones in her lower leg.
“Basically, my leg is full of metal,” Mills said.
She doesn’t know any of the details of the accident, she said. She said she doesn’t know the identity of the driver or exactly what happened. All Mills knows, she said, is she and Havana were struck by the vehicle close to her driveway while crossing the street in a residential area.
Doctors told her it will take about a year to fully recover, Mills said. Currently, she is in inpatient rehabilitation in Portsmouth. She is an administrator for a semi-conductor manufacturer in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and a bartender in Rollinsford, and she’s unsure when she’ll be able to return to work.
Mills shares happy memories of Havana
Rachael Mills flew to South Carolina to pick up Havana when she adopted the dog. Havana was named after the capital of Cuba. Mills visited the city in 2019.
She said her favorite activity with Havana was taking walks and playing ball in the park, along with calling her silly names with her sister, such as “Nub,” because of her short tail.
“She was so special. Everyone loved her, she just hopped around like a bunny. She was full of energy and had such a cute personality. She brought out the best in me,” Mills said.
While in recovery, Mills stresses the public should remember one thing
Rachael Mills stressed one message she wants to share in hopes anything positive can come from the accident: “Put your phone down, slow down. Pay attention because you can ruin someone’s life in a blink of an eye. I was given a second chance of life, and I’m lucky. I want people to pay attention.”
She said she does not know if the vehicle’s driver was distracted at the time of the incident, but urged people to pay attention on the road.
Rollinsford police have declined to release the name of the driver involved, saying it could compromise the investigation. Rollinsford police Lt. William Hancock said as of Monday no charges have been filed, and the case has been forwarded to the Strafford County attorney’s office for review.
How to help Rachael Mills
A GoFundMe online fundraising page for Rachael Mills was started to help support Rachael’s recovery and the expenses incurred from the accident. The page had raised more than $26,000 as of Monday.
Devan Mills, her sister, is handling the donations from the page started by friend Madison Theodore. They say donations are going to help cover the cost of:
- Emergency veterinary and cremation costs for Havana.
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance, including MedFlight and hospital care.
- Rehabilitation and outpatient recovery services.
- Legal expenses for the ongoing investigation.
- Essential monthly expenses Rachael is unable to cover while out of work.
- Assistance in cost-of-living throughout Rachael’s recovery.
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