Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Wilmington – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate a two vehicle crash which has claimed the life of a Middletown woman that occurred this afternoon east of Wilmington.

The investigation thus far has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 2:55 p.m. this afternoon, Wednesday, May 17, 2017, as a 48-year-old Middletown woman was operating a 2010 Nissan Maxima and was traveling in the right hand northbound lane of I-495 on the upslope of the Christina River Bridge. The female operator failed to see a 2010 Mack 613 trash truck, owned by Republic Services, which had become disabled on the bridge in the right hand lane. The front of the Maxima then struck the rear of the truck and became lodged underneath.

The female operator of the Maxima, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, was treated by New Castle County Paramedics. She was then removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Christiana Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The victim’s name is being withheld at this time pending the notification of her next of kin. It is unknown if alcohol or drug use on the part of the victim was a factor in this crash.

The male operator of the trash truck was uninjured. Alcohol or drug use on his part is not being considered as a factor.

I-495 northbound was completely closed for approximately one hour and then was restricted to only the left lane for another three hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police.

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