***UPDATE 3***

DSP News Release: Newark Woman Dies of Injuries from Accident

Date and Time: Friday, July 08, 2011 at 3:40 a.m.

Resume:

Newark- Nicole E. Cook, the operator of a 2001 Mercury Cougar which was involved in a serious motor vehicle crash on DE Rt. 1, Smyrna, on Friday, July 1, 2011, has died. Cook was pronounced dead at approximately 3:40 a.m. this morning at the Christiana Hospital where she had been admitted since the date of the crash. Her body was turned over to the Delaware Medical Examiner’s office where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

This crash remains under investigation at this time.

Released Friday, July 08, 2011 at 3:40 p.m.

***UPDATE 2***

DSP News Release:  Newark Woman Seriously Injured in Rt. 1 Crash

Location: DE Rt. 1 southbound approximately ½ mile north of Black Diamond Road, Smyrna, DE

Date and Time of Occurrence:  Friday, July 1, 2011 at 7:10 p.m.

Operators/Vehicles:

Operator #1: Nicole E. Cook, 28, Newark, DE

Vehicle #1: 2001 Mercury Cougar

Operator #2: Shyam Belepur, 44, Lancaster, PA

Vehicle #2: 2002 Honda Odyssey

Resume:   

Smyrna- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a two vehicle accident in which a Newark, DE woman was seriously injured that occurred yesterday evening in Smyrna.

The crash occurred at approximately 7:10 p.m. as Nicole E. Cook was operating a 2001 Mercury Cougar and was traveling northbound on DE Rt. 1 in the left hand lane. For an unknown reason Cook’s vehicle left the west edge of the roadway and traveled across the grass median before entering the southbound lanes of DE Rt. 1. The Cougar then struck the driver’s side of a 2002 Honda Odyssey which was being operated by Shyam Belepur, 44. After the impact, Nicole Cook’s vehicle overturned onto its driver’s side and then roof, causing her to be ejected. She was then transported from the scene by the Delaware State Police helicopter to the Christiana Hospital where she was admitted with serious injuries. Shyam Belepur was not injured.

Both northbound and southbound lanes of DE Rt. 1 were closed for approximately three hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

This crash remains under investigation at this time.

Released Saturday, July 02, 2011 at 7:50 a.m.

***UPDATE***

Resume:

Smyrna- Both the northbound and southbound lanes of DE Rt. 1 in the area of Black Diamond Road have been re-opened at this time. Commuters should still expect long delays in the area.

This crash remains under investigation. Details will be released after the completion of the investigation

Released Friday July 1, 2011 at 10:25 p.m.

DSP News Release:  Troopers on Scene of a Serious Personal Injury Accident

Location: DE Rt. 1 southbound at Black Diamond Road, Smyrna, DE

Date and Time of Occurrence:  Friday, July 01, 2011 at approximately 7:20 p.m.

Operators/Vehicles:  Unknown at this time

Resume:   

Smyrna- The Delaware State Police are currently on the scene of a serious motor vehicle crash that occurred this evening on DE Rt. 1 in Smyrna, DE

Initial information is that the accident involves a vehicle that has rolled over on southbound DE Rt. 1 in the area of Black Diamond Road. One subject has been transported by Delaware State Police Helicopter to the Christiana Hospital with serious injuries.

DE Rt. 1 northbound and southbound are both closed at this time and commuters should seek alternate routes of travel.

The investigation into this crash is in its initial stages. Further information will be released after it is received.

Released Friday, July 01, 2011 at 7:55 p.m.