YORK TOWNSHIP, MI - A dog jumped into a driver’s lap and caused a fatal crash Wednesday, police say.

Cyril Berry Jr., 73, died en route to the hospital following the crash about 5:30 p.m. Nov. 6 on Willis Road near Bolla Road in York Township, according to the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.

Police believe Berry, of York Township, was driving a pickup truck westbound on Willis Road when a 71-year-old Blissfield woman driving another pickup truck eastbound crossed the center line, said Derrick Jackson of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.

The woman had six dogs in her truck, and she told police that one jumped into her lap, Jackson said.

"She said what happened was, the dog jumped into her lap, distracted her as she was trying to get him back into the seat, and she crossed the center line and hit that other vehicle," Jackson said.

Both people were taken in critical condition to St. Joseph Mercy Health System, said Huron Valley Ambulance spokesman Matt Rose.

Berry died en route, according to the sheriff’s office.

The woman's condition was not known as of the morning of Thursday, Nov 7.

Three dogs, a miniature pinscher mix and two dachshunds, died in the crash, while three others, a Shih Tzu mix and two other dachshunds, survived, said Humane Society of Huron Valley communications director Wendy Welch in an email.

"(They) were all in shock, though the only outward injury appeared to be some lacerations to the leg of one of the Dachshunds," she said. "All of the dogs were examined by our shelter veterinarian team, treated, and are now warm, safe and together receiving TLC at our shelter."

A member of the owner’s family was expected to pick up the remaining dogs, she said.

Police initially said just two dogs were in the vehicle and seemingly uninjured, but Jackson later clarified the misstatement made amid a busy scene.

The fatal crash is a reminder that texting isn't the only form of distracted driving, Jackson said. It's a lesson for pet owners, too.

"Having your animal restrained is good for them, because obviously three dogs died in this accident, but, also, its safe so they don’t jump into your lane of vision or something like that and distract you," he said.

Police were still investigating Thursday.

Willis and Bolla roads, about six miles south of Ann Arbor, were closed for multiple hours as police worked Wednesday night.