Off-Duty Trooper Involved In Serious Crash, Driver, Passenger Trapped

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Wilmington – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a three vehicle crash involving a Delaware State Trooper that occurred last night north of Wilmington, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey Hale.

Hale said the initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 8:46 p.m. last night, Thursday, May 25, 2017, as a 46 year old Delaware State Trooper was operating a fully marked 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe and was traveling in a westbound direction on Silverside Road approaching the intersection of Benton Court.

The trooper, who was not responding to a complaint and did not have the emergency equipment of his vehicle activated, failed to observe a 1996 Buick Lesabre stopped in the westbound lane of Silverside Road, just west of Benton Court, with its left turn signal activated, according to Hale.

The front of the Tahoe then struck the rear of the Lesabre, which was being operated by a 16-year-old Wilmington male. The force of the collision caused the Lesabre to travel into the eastbound lane of Silverside Road where its front then struck the front of a 2012 Infiniti G37, which was being operated by a 73-year-old Wilmington female. All three vehicles came to rest in the roadway.

The operator of the Buick Lesabre, as well as a 53-year-old female passenger, were trapped in the car until they could be extricated by responding emergency personnel. They were treated at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics before being transported by ambulance to the Christiana Medical Center, where they were treated for their non-life threatening injuries. There were no other injuries.

All operators and passengers were properly restrained at the time of the crash. Alcohol use is not being considered as a factor in the crash.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit. Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of Silverside Road were closed for a period of time as the crash was investigated and cleared.

It’s unclear if last night’s heavy downpour played a part in the accident.