Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Smyrna, DE- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate a fatal motor vehicle crash which occurred early this afternoon in Smyrna.

The investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 12:31 p.m. today, Monday, October 17, 2016, as James Leggett, 66, of Yeadon, PA, was operating a 2016 Kenworth tractor and flatbed trailer and was traveling in a southbound direction on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway (SR1) at Paddock Road, Smyrna. For an unknown reason, the tractor trailer drifted slightly onto the right had shoulder of the roadway where it then struck a 64 year old Laurel, DE man, who had just exited the driver’s seat of a 2002 Ford F-150, and was walking toward the front of the car. The tractor trailer then struck the left hand side of the Ford before stopping just south of the crash. The male pedestrian landed in the right hand southbound lane of SR1 where he came to rest.

The male victim was declared dead at the scene. His name is being withheld pending the notification of his next of kin. James Leggett, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was not injured.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit. Neither speed nor alcohol use appear to be a factor in the crash.

The southbound lanes of  SR1 were closed for approximately 2 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

Released: 101716 1920

-End-

**Original Release**

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