Newark – The Delaware State Police are continuing to investigate a multi-vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer that has resulted in one fatality as well as multiple other victims being hospitalized with various injuries.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:46 p.m., Tuesday, September 24, 2019 on I-95 southbound approximately .5 miles north of DE Rt. 72.
A 2008 Toyota Highlander, operated by a 45 year old Middletown man, was traveling I-95 southbound in the right lane, and was slowing to a stop in a line of congested traffic. A 2015 Honda CRV, operated by a 49 year old Newark woman, was slowing to a stop directly behind the Toyota. A 2014 Nissan Sentra, operated by a 61 year old Middletown man, was slowing to a stop directly behind the Honda. A 2014 Kenworth tractor trailer, operated by a 39 year old Fairmont, North Carolina man, was traveling I-95 southbound in the right lane, directly behind the Nissan.
The tractor trailer failed to stop and in turn rear-ended the Nissan, forcing it across all southbound lanes, where it came to rest in the far left southbound lane of travel. The tractor trailer then struck the Honda and then the Toyota , forcing both vehicles off the right side of the road and down an embankment. After impacting the three vehicles the tractor trailer veered to the left and overturned onto it’s right side, broke through a guardrail and then overturned further, with it’s wheels up, finally coming to rest partially in the center grass median and partially in the left thru lane of northbound I-95.

The 61 year old male driver of the Nissan was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification of the victim is pending notification of next of kin.

The 49 year old female driver of the Honda was transported to the Christiana Hospital with serious injuries. A child in the Honda was hospitalized in critical condition.

The 45 year old male driver of the Toyota and the 39 year old male driver of the Kenworth sustained non-life threatening injuries.

I-95 southbound was completely closed for approximately 7.5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Sgt. D. Alexander of the Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8484.

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@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:092519 0715

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