Claymont –  The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate a fatal crash involving four vehicles, that occurred at approximately 10:53 a.m., Monday, December 3, 2018 on I-495 northbound north of Philadelphia Pike.

The initial investigation has determined that a 2011 GMC Canyon pick-up truck, operated by a 63 year old Havertown, PA man, was traveling I-495 northbound in the right lane, just north of Philadelphia Pike. A 2015 Infiniti GX60, operated by a 20 year old, Philadelphia PA woman, was following directly behind the GMC and a 2002 Ford Explorer, operated by a 39 year old Wilmington man, was directly behind the Infiniti. All three vehicles were slowing in traffic due to a temporary lane closure which was further to the north.

A 2011 Freightliner tractor trailer operated by a 33 year old Elkton MD man was traveling northbound in the right lane behind the other vehicles and failed to slow in time, in turn striking the rear end of the Ford. The Ford was forced off the right side of the road into a steel guardrail before coming to rest in the northbound lanes. The Freightliner continued in a northerly direction striking the rear of the Infiniti, which was in turn pushed in to the rear of the GMC. The Infiniti, GMC and Freightliner all came to final rest in the northbound lanes of I-495.

The operator of the GMC was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured.

The operator of the Infiniti was not wearing a seatbelt and was transported to the Wilmington Hospital with minor injuries.

The operator of the Freightliner was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured.

The operator of the Ford who was seat belted, was transported to the Christiana Hospital in critical condition.

Yolanda Frank, 46, of Newark, a front seat passenger in the Ford, who was seat belted, was pronounced deceased upon arrival at Christiana Hospital.

I-495 northbound was closed for approximately 5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the crash are asked to contact Cpl. J. Aube of the Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8483.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:120318 2030

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