Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

State Police Investigating Three-Vehicle Fatal Crash in New Castle

Date Posted: Saturday, October 12th, 2024

Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal crash involving three vehicles that occurred early this morning in New Castle.

On October 12, 2024, at approximately 4:18 a.m., a 45-year-old man from Bear, Delaware, was driving a Hyundai Tucson southbound on I-95 in the right center lane near Churchmans Marsh. At the same time, a 29-year-old man from New Castle, Delaware, was driving a Kia Forte alongside the Hyundai in the right lane. A 61-year-old man from Mineral Point, Wisconsin, had pulled his Freightliner bucket truck onto the right shoulder of I-95 to check his vehicle.

For reasons still under investigation, the Kia entered the right shoulder and collided with the stationary bucket truck, which was still occupied by its driver. The force of the crash caused the Kia to rebound into the center lane, where it struck the Hyundai. The driver of the Kia, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle.

The driver of the Hyundai was uninjured. The driver of the bucket truck was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Kia was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is being withheld until his family is notified.

The southbound lanes of I-95 were closed for approximately three hours while the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the crash and cleared the roadway.

The investigation is ongoing, and troopers are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Sergeant J. Jefferson at (302) 365-8484. 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.