Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale
Newark – The Delaware State Police continue to investigate a multi-vehicle crash in which three people were injured that occurred yesterday afternoon near Newark.
The investigation thus far has determined that the crash occurred on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at approximately 3:19 p.m., as Alfonzo Cruz, 39, of Elkton, MD, was operating a 2014 Dodge Ram and was traveling in a southbound direction on SR1, north of DE273 (Christiana Road). Traffic traveling in front of Cruz stopped suddenly due to debris in the roadway. Cruz, however, was unable to stop which caused the front of his truck to strike the rear of a 2008 BMW 528i, which was being operated by a 32-year-old Dover, DE man. A 1999 Toyota 4-Runner, which had been traveling directly the Dodge Ram, and which was being operated by a 70-year-old Bear, DE woman, was able to stop behind the Ram. However, the rear of the Toyota was then struck by the front of a 2017 Rexhall tractor-trailer, which had been traveling directly behind the Toyota, and which was being operated by a 51-year-old Middletown, DE man. The force of the impact drove the Toyota into the rear of the Dodge Ram. It then became airborne and flipped over before coming to rest in the roadway.
The 70-year-old operator of the Toyota, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was trapped in her vehicle for approximately 15 minutes until she could be extricated by responding fire department personnel. She was then treated at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics before being transported by ambulance to the Christiana Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Alfonzo Cruz, who was also properly restrained at the time of the crash, was treated at the scene by paramedics before being transported to the Christiana Hospital. He was cited by troopers with Following Too Closely.
The 32-year-old operator of the BMW, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was also treated at the scene by paramedics. He was then transported to the Christiana Hospital where he was treated for his non-life threatening injuries.
There were no other injuries and only one vehicle overturned.
Southbound SR1 was closed for a period of time as the crash was being investigated and cleared.
Released: 081017 0705
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