Delaware State Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision

Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred in the Bear area on Monday afternoon.

On June 27, 2022, at approximately 2:55 p.m., a 2007 Lexus GS350 was stopped at a red light on westbound Route 40 (Pulaski Highway) at its intersection with Route 72 within the left lane of two westbound through-lanes of travel.  A 2018 Jeep Wrangler was stopped behind the Lexus,  a 2014 Honda Civic was stopped behind the Jeep, and a 2022 Honda Accord was stopped at a red light within the outside left turn lane of westbound Route 40 (to the left of the Lexus), waiting to turn left onto southbound Route 72. At this time, a 2002 Infiniti G35 was traveling westbound Route 40 at an apparent high rate of speed within the left through-lane of travel, approaching the above-mentioned vehicles.

The operator of Infiniti failed to come to a stop and its right front struck the left rear of the 2014 Honda Accord for the first impact.  This impact caused the Infiniti to rotate clockwise in a southwesterly direction until its rear driver’s side struck the driver’s side of the 2022 Honda Accord.  The Infiniti came to rest facing in a northerly direction in the grass median east of the intersection.  Also, during this time, the 2014 Honda rotated clockwise and struck the right rear of the Jeep.  This impact then pushed the Jeep into the rear of the Lexus.

All 5 operators were wearing their seatbelts.  The operator of the Lexus, a 54-year-old male of Newark, DE, the operator of the 2014 Honda, a 25-year-old female of Magnolia, DE, and the operator of the 2022 Honda, a 27-year-old female of Brooklyn, NY, were all transported by ambulance to Christiana Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and later released.

The operator of the Infiniti, a 43-year-old male of Bear, DE, was also transported by ambulance to Christiana Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.  Identification of the victim is pending notification to the next-of-kin.

The operator of the Jeep did not sustain any injuries from the collision.

All lanes of westbound Route 40 between the entrance to the Fox Run Shopping Center and its intersection with Route 72 were closed for approximately 3 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this collision. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal Breen by calling 302-365-8486. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need 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 at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 062822 1002

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