DSP News Release:  Troopers Investigate Crash Involving Pedestrian

Location: Willow Grove Road north of Fivefoot Prong Lane, Camden, DE

Date and Time of Occurrence:  Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 8:10 p.m.

Operators and Vehicles:

-Operator #1: Colleen Bachman, 44, Wyoming, DE

-Vehicle #1: 2012 Chrysler 200

-Operator #2: Natalie Pardee, 36, Hartly, DE

-Vehicle #2: 2007 GMC Yukon

-Operator #3: Connie L. Sparks, 60, Felton, DE

-Vehicle #3: 2001 Mercury Cougar

-Pedestrian: Eric S. Smith, 19, Camden, DE

Resume:   

Camden, DE- The Delaware State Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash in which a 19 year old pedestrian was struck that occurred yesterday evening.

The incident happened at approximately 8:10 p.m. on Thursday, as Eric S. Smith, 19, of Camden was walking in the middle of the eastbound lane of Willow Grove Road just north of Fivefoot Prong Lane in Camden. Smith was then struck by the driver’s side mirror of a 2012 Chrysler 200 that was also traveling eastbound on Willow Grove Road and which was being operated by Colleen Bachman of Wyoming, DE. Smith was then struck by a 2007 GMC Yukon which had also been traveling eastbound on Willow Grove Road and which was being operated by Natalie Pardee of Hartly, DE. The force of the collision knocked Eric Smith to the ground. However, Smith got up from the ground and proceeded to walk in an eastbound direction in the westbound lane of the road. He was then struck by a 2001 Mercury Cougar which was traveling westbound on Willow Grove Road and which was being operated by Connie L. Sparks of Felton, DE.

Eric Smith was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Kent General Hospital in Dover and then to the Christiana Hospital in Newark where he is currently being treated for non life threatening injuries. There were no other injuries. Willow Grove Road was closed for approximately one hour as the crash was investigated and cleared.

Eric Smith was cited by troopers for being a pedestrian in a lane of travel, failure to carry a light, and walking not facing traffic.

Released Friday, October 14, 2011 at 11:45 p.m.