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Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley


*UPDATE* Troopers Investigating Fatal Crash-I-95 Southbound in the area of Rt. 202 – Wilmington


Date Posted: Wednesday, November 6th, 2019

Wilmington – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 11:44 p.m., Tuesday, November 5, 2019 on southbound I -95 south of Rt. 202, in the area of the Delaware Avenue off-ramp.

The initial investigation has determined that a 2016 Honda Accord, operated by a 28 year old Wilmington man, was traveling I-95 southbound in the middle lane approaching the Brandywine River Bridge. A 2005 Mercury Mountaineer, operated by a 34 year old Philadelphia, PA woman, was traveling in the I-95 southbound left lane at an apparent high rate of speed. As the Mercury was passing the Honda, the driver of the Mercury failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway and drifted into the middle lane with its right rear side striking the front left side of the Honda. After this initial collision the Mercury struck a guard rail at which time the driver was ejected. After striking the guardrail the Mercury overturned, ejecting a 5 year old male passenger in the vehicle. The Honda also struck a guardrail before coming to a stop.

The driver of the Mercury, who was not wearing a seatbelt was transported to the Christiana Hospital where she was pronounce deceased. Impairment on her behalf is undetermined at this time. Identification of the victim is pending notification of next of kin.

The 5 year old male passenger in the Mercury was also not restrained and he was transported to the Nemours A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children in critical condition.

The driver of the Honda, who was seat belted, was transported to the St. Francis hospital with minor injuries. Neither speed nor impairment are deemed as contributing factors on his behalf.

Southbound I-95 was closed for approximately 5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Cpl. J. Forester of the Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8485.

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:110619 0625

-End-

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