Claymont- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred last evening on I-495.

The incident occurred on April 18, 2020 at approximately 10:15 p.m., when a Mercury Marquis was traveling southbound on I-495 in the area of mile marker 9.0 when the operator lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail.  The Marquis spun out of control and back across the southbound lanes of I-495, coming to rest against the guardrail on the west side of the highway.  Shortly thereafter, a Mitsubishi Outlander was traveling southbound on I-495 and struck pieces of debris in the roadway from the Marquis.  The Outlander became disabled in the right shoulder south of the scene.   A Dodge Journey was traveling southbound on I-495 and swerved to avoid the debris, the operator lost control and struck the guardrail positioned in the grass median. The Journey came to rest within the left lane of travel.  A  Buick LeSabre was also traveling southbound on I-495 and attempted to avoid striking debris in the roadway and the disabled Journey.  The operator of the LeSabre swerved and lost control of his vehicle, striking the guardrail on the west side of the highway where it came to a stop. A Honda Civic was also traveling southbound on I-495 and the operator was unable to perceive the Journey disabled in the left lane and struck same.  A Toyota Rav4 was traveling northbound on I-495 and was struck by the debris during the sequence of events, shattering its windshield.

The operator of the Mercury Marquis, a 30-year-old male of Newark, DE, was not properly restrained and ejected from the vehicle.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene.  His name is being withheld at this time pending the notification of next of kin.

The operator of the Mitsubishi Outlander, a 35-year-old female of Smyrna, DE, was properly restrained and did not sustain injury.

The operator of the Dodge Journey, a 34-year-old female of New Castle, DE was properly restrained, she and her two passengers ages 11 and 17 were transported to the Saint Francis Hospital with minor, non-life threatening injuries.

The operator of the Buick LeSabre, a 29-year-old male of Philadelphia, PA, was properly restrained and did not sustain injury.  His 5-year-old son was a passenger and transported to the AI DuPont Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The operator of the Honda Civic, an 18-year-old male of Wilmington, DE was properly restrained and did not sustain injury.

The operator of the Toyota Rav4, a 59-year-old female of Bear, DE was properly restrained and did not sustain injury.

All lanes of I-495 southbound in the area of mile marker 9.0 were closed for approximately 4 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

The crash continues to remain under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.

*TRAFFIC ADVISORY* Troopers Investigating Serious Crash on I495-Claymont

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.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released:041920 0846

-End-

Print This Page