Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale
Middletown – The Delaware State Police continue to investigate a multi-vehicle crash which sent several people to area hospitals yesterday afternoon.
The investigation thus far has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 1:33 p.m., on Thursday, August 17, 2017, as Edwin Perez, 44, of Union, NJ, was operating a 2013 Freightliner tractor and trailer carrying 88 barrels of Aluminum Hydroxy gel, and was traveling in a northbound direction on SR1 approaching the Biddle Toll Plaza. Perez failed to see traffic that had slowed in front of him which caused the front of his truck to strike the rear of a 2013 GMC Yukon, which was being operated by a 49 year old Prince Frederick, MD woman, as well as the rear of a 2014 Chevrolet Express, which was being operated by a 61 year old New Jersey man. Both the GMC and the Chevrolet overturned after the initial impact. Perez’ vehicle then continued in a northbound direction and crossed the median, where it came to rest in the southbound SR 1 EZ Pass lanes.
The female operator of the GMC was treated at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics before being transported by ambulance to the Christiana Hospital.
Two juvenile passengers in the GMC were also treated at the scene by Paramedics. They were then flown by Delaware State Police Aviation (Trooper 4) to the the A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children where they were treated for their serious injuries. Two other juvenile passengers in the van were removed from the scene by ambulance and transported to the A.I. DuPont Hospital where they were treated for their non-life threatening injuries.
Edwin Perez and the 61 year old operator of the Express were transported by ambulance to the Christiana Hospital where they were treated for their non-life threatening injuries.
Officers from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control responded to the scene in order to clean up the spill of Aluminum Hydroxy.
The northbound and southbound EZ Pass lanes of SR 1 were closed for approximately 10 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.
This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police.
Released: 081817 1640
-end-