Delaware State Police
News Release

Update # 3 on June 7th Route 1 Crash - Driver Charged

Released- Friday, June 13, 2008

Dover- Andrew Rankin, 28, of New Castle, has been released from the hospital and Troopers have officially charged him with the following offenses: Vehicular Homicide, two counts of Vehicular Assault and DUI. Upon his arraignment, he has been committed to the Delaware Correctional Center in Smyrna in default of a $11,000.00 secured bond. The judge also ordered he not drive while out on bail.

The mug shot is attached.

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Update # 2 on RT 1 Crash – One Dies

Released Sunday, June 08, 2008

Dover – As a result of injuries sustained in the crash, Brian Wilson, 17 of Havre de Grace, MD has died. The inured 27-year-old passenger referenced below has been identified as Paul Romenicki of Middletown.

The Delaware State Police have obtained arrest warrants for Andrew Rankin, the driver of the Mercedes, on charges of Vehicular Homicide, 2 counts of Vehicular Assault 2nd degree and Driving under the Influence. He is expected to formally charged when released from the hospital.

No additional information is available.

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Update on RT 1 Crash

Released Saturday, June 07, 2008

Dover – The Delaware State Police are providing additional details surrounding the earlier crash on USRT 1. Troopers responded to the crash at 7:06 pm and learned a 1992 Chevy Caprice station wagon, operated by Melissa Winn, 31 of Bear, was traveling northbound on USRT 1 in the area of exit 95 when the hood of her vehicle came off the car and landed in the northbound lane.

Ms. Winn pulled her vehicle off onto the center median in an attempt to retrieve the hood from the roadway. As she was standing on the side of the roadway waiting to retrieve the hood, a 1997 Mazda passenger car, operated by Nathan Flanery, 18 of Havre De Grace, MD was traveling northbound in the left lane.

The Mazda began slowing down due to the hood in the roadway when it was struck from behind by a 2003 Mercedes C-24 class passenger car, operated by Andrew Rankin, 28 of New Castle.

As a result of the crash, the operator of the Mazda, Mr. Flanery was flown to Christiana Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. A passenger in his vehicle, Brian Wilson, 17 of Havre de Grace, MD, was taken to Kent General Hospital where he is currently in critical condition.

Mr. Rankin, the operator of the Mercedes, was taken to Kent General Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. A passenger in his vehicle, a 27-year-old Middletown man, was also taken to Kent General Hospital and is in critical condition. The passengers name is being withheld pending notification of family members.

Ms. Winn was not injured. Seatbelt use is currently unknown on all parties and alcohol is suspected as a factor on behalf on Mr. Rankin. Due to the crash, the roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours as investigators examined the scene. The roadway has since been reopened.

The crash remains under investigation and when additional information is available, it will be provided.

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Serious Injury Crash Closes RT 1 south of Dover

Released Saturday, June 07, 2008

Dover – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently on scene of a serious crash that occurred on US RT 1 northbound in the area of exit 95 east of Dover.

Preliminary reports indicate that two vehicles are involved and one person is critically injured. As a result, the roadway has been closed and traffic is being diverted onto US 113. When additional details are known and confirmed they will be provided to the media.