***UPDATED RELEASE***

DSP News Release:  Tractor Trailer Strikes Overpass in New Castle

Location: US Rt. 13 northbound at DE Rt. 141, New Castle, DE

Date of Occurrence:  Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 12:19 a.m.

Operators/Vehicles:

Operator: Derrick Higgin, 60, Bear, DE

Vehicle: 1999 Freightliner Tractor and flatbed trailer (owned by Higgin)

Resume:   

New Castle- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a one vehicle property damage accident in which a tractor trailer’s load struck an overpass early this morning.

The accident occurred at approximately 12:19 this morning as Derrick Higgin was operating a 1999 Freightliner tractor which was pulling a flatbed trailer on US Rt. 13 northbound in the center lane. As Higgin drove the vehicle under the DE Rt. 141 overpass his load, an empty cargo container, struck the overpass, causing it to dislodge from the trailer. The container then fell off of the flatbed trailer and lay across all three northbound lanes of Rt. 13. Neither Derrick Higgin nor a passenger in his vehicle were injured.

The three northbound main travel lanes of Rt. 13 were closed as the crash was cleared. However; traffic was able to continue northbound on Rt. 13 by utilizing the Rt. 141 access lane. Officials from the Delaware Department of Transportation responded to the scene and inspected the overpass. The roadway has since been reopened.

The crash remains under investigation.

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Released Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 5:35 a.m