DSP News Release: Motor Vehicle Crash Involving Trooper

Location:

·         US#40 westbound at SR#72, Newark, DE

Date of Occurrence:

·         Friday, August 12, 2011 at 6:30 a.m.

Operators/Vehicles:

·         Operator #1:  Delaware State Trooper assigned to Troop 2

·         Vehicle #1:  Unmarked 2011 Ford Crown Victoria

·         Operator#2:  Kathleen Cullen-48 of Bear, DE 

·         Vehicle #2:  2005 Toyota Camry 

Resume

Newark-The Delaware State Police and the Maryland State Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash involving a Delaware State Trooper this morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. as a Delaware State Trooper assigned to Troop 2 was operating an unmarked 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, traveling US#40 westbound approaching SR#72 when he suffered an unspecified medical emergency.  While traveling US#40 westbound approaching SR#72, the right front of the Crown Victoria struck the left rear of a 2005 Toyota Camry that was stopped on US#40 in the right lane for a red traffic signal at the intersection of SR#72.  The Camry was being operated by Kathleen Cullen-48 of Bear, DE.  Cullen was not injured in the collision. 

The Trooper, who continued to suffer from the medical condition, traveled US#40 westbound and entered into Maryland.  

After crossing the Maryland line, the Crown Victoria left the north edge of the roadway and overturned into the parking lot of the Williams Chevrolet Auto Mall, Elkton, MD.  The Crown Victoria struck several parked vehicles in the dealership lot before landing upright in the parking lot.

The State Trooper was transported to the Christiana Hospital where he was treated for non life threatening injuries and later released.

Preliminary investigation indicates that both operators were wearing seatbelts and that the Trooper was not responding to a complaint and was on routine patrol.   

The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit and the Maryland State Police continue to investigate this crash.

Released:  081211 1400