Middletown- Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred Friday morning on northbound Route 1 at Pole Bridge Road.

On August 06, 2021, at approximately 2:18 a.m., a gray 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, operator undetermined at this time, was traveling northbound on Route 1. For reasons unknown the Pathfinder entered the grass median and struck the cable barrier. The pathfinder then began traveling eastbound across the northbound lanes of Route 1 and up a grass embankment until reentering the roadway a second time. The Pathfinder then traveled westbound across the northbound lanes of Route 1 lanes and directly into the path of a 2018 Freightliner tractor trailer, operated by a 50-year-old male. After this collision the Pathfinder became disabled in the roadway. At this time, a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, operated by a 75-year-old female was traveling northbound on Route 1 approaching the area of Pole Bridge Road. The Malibu was unable to avoid colliding with the Pathfinder and the front of the Malibu struck the Pathfinder. As a result of the collision the Malibu came to a rest in the center grass median and the Pathfinder came to a rest facing in a northeast direction still in the roadway. A 2012 Subaru Outback, operated by a 79-year-old female was traveling northbound on Route 1 approaching the area of Pole Bridge Road. The Outback was unable to avoid colliding with the Pathfinder and the front of the Outback struck the rear right corner of the Pathfinder. 

There were two occupants, a 54-year-old female and a 54-year-old male inside of the Pathfinder. Both occupants were not properly restrained, and both were located outside of the vehicle prior to police arrival. The female occupant of the Pathfinder was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision. Identification is pending notification to the next of kin. The male occupant was transported to Christiana Hospital in critical condition.

The operator of the Malibu was wearing her seatbelt and her airbags deployed. She was treated and released from Christiana Hospital after being treated for minor injuries.

The operator of the Outback was wearing her seatbelt and her airbags deployed. She was transported to Christiana Hospital in critical condition.

Impairment on the part of the occupants of Pathfinder at this time is pending. Due to both occupants being located outside of the vehicle prior to police arrival it is unknown who the operator is at this time. The circumstances to this collision are still being investigated and on-going.

Traffic traveling northbound on SR 1 was diverted onto Exit 142 and re-entered the highway north of the collision scene.

The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information regarding this collision should contact Detective Calio with the Delaware State Police 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. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 080621 1951

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