Newark- Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred last Friday, on Stanton Christiana Road (Route 7).
On Friday, October 15, 2021, at approximately 3:43 p.m., a 1977 MG MGB was traveling northbound Stanton Christiana Road (Route 7) from the intersection of Old Stanton Christiana Rd in the right lane. The vehicle began slowing and came to a stop due to traffic ahead. At the same time, a 2020 GMC Sierra pickup truck traveling northbound in the right lane directly behind the MGB, failed to stop for traffic ahead and struck the rear of the MGB. After impact the MGB was pushed across the northbound lanes and came to rest in the right lane of southbound Route 7. The GMC continued in a northwesterly direction across the northbound lanes and into the center median where it struck the crash attenuator located within the median. This second collision redirected the GMC into the northbound lanes where it overturned on its roof and came to rest.
The 51-year-old operator of the MGB, identified as John Porter of Wilmington, was transported to Christiana hospital for life-threatening injuries. At the hospital he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The 28-year-old operator of the GMC freed himself from the overturned vehicle and fled from the scene on foot. He was later apprehended by troopers approximately half a mile from the collision scene. Once he was taken into custody, it prompted Troopers to initiate a DUI investigation. The results of the DUI investigation are pending.
Stanton Christiana Road (Route 7) was closed for approximately 3 hours while the crash was investigated, and the roadway cleared.
The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information regarding this collision should contact Sergeant Alexander with the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8437. 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: 102021 0850