***FOURTH UPDATE***

DSP News Release: Investigators Release Name of Accident Victim

Resume: The Delaware State Police have identified the victim of the fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on I-495 in Claymont, DE on Friday, May 6, 2011, as Jerry Caldwell, 67,  of Hartly, DE.

This crash remains under investigation.

Released Monday, May 09, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.

***THIRD UPDATE***

DSP News Release:  Delaware State Police Investigate Fatal Crash

Location: I-495 northbound approximately 2 miles south of Philadelphia Pike off-ramp, Claymont, DE

Date of Occurrence:  Friday, May 06, 2011 at 8:50 a.m.

Operators/Vehicles:

Operator: 67 year old Hartly, DE man (name will be released at a later time)

Vehicle 1: 2007 Chrysler Aspen

Resume:   

Claymont- The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating a one car fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred this morning in Claymont.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:50 a.m. this morning as a 67 year old Hartly, DE man was traveling on I-495 northbound south of Philadelphia Pike in the left hand lane in a 2007 Chrysler Aspen. For an unknown reason, the Aspen began drifting to the right and into the center lane. The operator of the vehicle then overcorrected to the left and drove his vehicle into the center median of the roadway where it struck a metal guardrail. The force of the crashed caused one of the front wheels of the Aspen to come off of the vehicle which in turn caused the vehicle to overturn several times. The Aspen came to rest in the left hand lane of I-495 northbound. The 67 year old operator of the vehicle was ejected from the car and came to rest in the roadway near his vehicle. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was turned over to the 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, however; alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash. Northbound I-495 was partially closed for approximately 2.5 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

The identity of the victim will be released pending the notification of the next of kin.

Released Friday, May 06, 2011 at 10:30 p.m.

***SECOND UPDATE***

I- 495 has been completely opened in both directions and the posted speed limit is again 65 mph. This crash remains under investigation at this time.

Released Friday, May 06, 2011 at 11:20 a.m.

***UPDATED INFORMATION***

The right hand travel lane of I-495 northbound is open at the scene of the crash. The center and left hand lanes remain closed and the speed on I-495 has been reduced to 55 mph. Commuters should continue to find alternate means of travel around the accident scene.

Released Friday, May 06, 2011 at 9:20 a.m.

Initial release below.

DSP News Release:  Troopers on Scene of Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash

Location: I-495 northbound near Philadelphia Pike, Claymont

Date of Occurrence:  Friday, May 06, 2011 at approximately 8:55 a.m.

Resume:   

Claymont- The Delaware State Police are currently at the scene of a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred a short time ago on I-495 in Claymont. Initial indication is that one person has died.

Northbound I-495 is closed in the area of the crash and commuters should find alternate routes around the scene.

More information will be released as it is received.

Released Friday, May 06, 2011 at 9:10 a.m.