DSP News Release:  Fatal Crash SR#1 South of Smyrna

Location:

·         State Route 1 approximately 1.0 mile south of Smyrna

Date of Occurrence:

·         Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 4:45 p.m.

Operators/Vehicles:

·         Operator #1:  Robert S. Hart-56 of Glenside, PA (Treated and released)

·         Vehicle #1:  1999 Ford Explorer

·         Front Seat Passenger #1:  Ruth G. Hart-53 of Glenside, PA (Deceased)

·         Operator #2:  Rebecca A. Strite-29 of Waynesboro, PA (Treated and released)

·         Vehicle #2:  2006 Jeep Wrangler CMP

·         Front Seat Passenger#2:  Amy L. Lehigh-23 of Hanover, PA (Treated and released)

Resume

Smyrna-The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash involving 2 vehicles that occurred late Saturday afternoon south of Smyrna.

The crash occurred at approximately 4:45 p.m. Saturday as Robert S. Hart-56 of Glenside, PA was operating a 1999 Ford Explorer, traveling State Route 1 northbound in the left lane.  Hart attempted to pass a 2006 Jeep Wrangler CMP that was traveling State Route 1 northbound in the right lane.  The 2006 Jeep Wrangler CMP was being operated by Rebecca A. Strite-29 of Waynesboro, PA.

As the Ford Explorer attempted pass the Wrangler, it crossed over the center line with the Explorer’s passenger side striking the Wrangler’s driver side.  After the collision the Wrangler traveled off of the east edge of the roadway, down an embankment and struck several trees before coming to rest.  The Ford Explorer traveled off of the west edge of the roadway into the center median, overturning several times.  The passenger (wife of Robert Hart) in the Ford Explorer, Ruth G. Hart-53 of Glenside, PA was ejected from the vehicle.

Ruth G. Hart was transported by ambulance to Kent General Hospital where she was pronounced dead. 

Robert S. Hart was transported to Kent General Hospital, treated and released.

Rebecca A. Strite and the front seat passenger in the Jeep Wrangler, Amy L. Lehigh-23 of Hanover, Pa were transported to Kent General Hospital, where both were treated and released.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Ruth G. Hart was not wearing a seatbelt.  All other occupants of both vehicles were properly restrained.  Alcohol was not a factor in this crash.

State Route 1 was closed for approximately 3 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash with charges pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Released:  081411 0400