Wilmington- Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred this morning on southbound I-95 south of the Brandywine River Bridge.

On August 22, 2021, at approximately 4:13 a.m., a black 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling southbound on Interstate 95 through a construction zone and struck a crash attenuator positioned in the gore area between the single southbound lane of travel and the exit ramp for Delaware Avenue.  The Jeep subsequently rotated clockwise and came to rest perpendicular to the roadway, completely blocking the single southbound lane of travel.  After this collision, a 25-year-old female who was traveling southbound I-95, stopped her vehicle on the left shoulder of the off-ramp to Delaware Avenue.  The female exited her vehicle and walked into the single southbound lane of travel to offer assistance to the operator of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. 

During that time, a 2016 GMC Sierra pickup truck was approaching the collision scene.  The 72-year-old operator was unable to perceive the collision ahead due to lighting and weather conditions. The front of the GMC struck the pedestrian within the southbound lane of travel and then struck the passenger side of the Jeep Cherokee.  Both vehicles traveled south together a short distance and eventually came to rest within the single southbound lane of travel, again completely blocking the travel lane.

The 37-year-old operator of the Jeep was transported to Wilmington Hospital where he was treated and later released for minor injuries.

The 25-year-old pedestrian was transported by ambulance to Christiana Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The identification of the victim is pending notification to the next of kin.

Impairment is not a factor with any operator in this collision.

Interstate 95 southbound was closed at its junction with US Route 202 for approximately 5 hours while the two collisions were investigated and cleared.

The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information regarding this collision should contact Detective Breen with the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8486. 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: 082221 1700

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