Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley

State Police Investigating Three-Vehicle Fatal Crash in New Castle

Date Posted: Thursday, August 22nd, 2024

273

Edited August 22, 2024|3:03 p.m.

The Delaware State Police are investigating a three-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on Christiana Road in New Castle last night that left two victims dead.

On August 21, 2024, at approximately 11:20 p.m., a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan was stopped at a traffic light in the eastbound lanes of Christiana Road, at the intersection with Airport Road. Simultaneously, a 2022 Kia K5 was traveling at an apparent high rate of speed in the westbound lanes of Christiana Road, approaching the same intersection. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Dodge entered the intersection to turn left onto Airport Road after the traffic lights for the eastbound thru lanes and left turn lane of Christiana Road turned green, while the westbound lanes remained red. At the same time, the Kia failed to stop at the red traffic signal for the westbound lanes of Christiana Road and also entered the intersection. As a result, the front of the Kia struck the right side of the Dodge in the intersection. Following the initial impact, the Dodge spun and rolled over, while the Kia deflected to the right, crossed a cement median, and struck a 2020 Hyundai Tucson that was preparing to turn right onto Christiana Road westbound from Airport Road southbound.

The driver of the Dodge, a 29-year-old woman, and her 10-year-old daughter, both from New Castle, Delaware, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names are being withheld until their family and relatives are notified. The remaining 4 passengers in the Dodge, all of whom were children of the 29-year-old victim, were taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Kia, a 26-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for serious injuries.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 43-year-old woman from Bear, Delaware, was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for serious injuries.

Please note that the Kia was stopped by troopers in the 100 block of South Dupont Highway at 11:08 p.m. but fled the traffic stop. The trooper lost sight of the vehicle shortly thereafter. At no point was the Kia actively pursued by law enforcement.

The roadway was closed for approximately 6 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Corporal D. McKenna by calling 302-365-8486. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime, or you 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.