Police: Smyrna Woman Dies After School Bus Pulls Into Her Path

Smyrna- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate a two vehicle crash which claimed the life of a Smyrna woman this morning, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey Hale.

Hale said the initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 6:06 a.m. this morning, Tuesday, September 19, 2017, as Michael S. Henry, 60, of Smyrna, was operating a 2013 Blue Bird School Bus, and was attempting to make a right hand turn from eastbound Black Diamond Road onto southbound US13 (DuPont Parkway), just north of Smyrna. As Henry proceeded to make the turn, he drove directly into the path of a 2008 Kia Spectra, which was traveling in the left hand lane of southbound US13, and which was being operated by a 45-year-old Smyrna woman, said Hale.The right side of the Kia then struck the left side of the bus. After the impact, both vehicles traveled in a southeasterly direction for a short distance and came to rest next to each other in the grass median.

The female operator of the Kia, who was not properly restrained at the time of the crash, was treated at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics, according to Hale. She was then flown by Delaware State Police Aviation (Trooper 4) to the Christiana Hospital, where she was subsequently pronounced dead. The victim’s name is being withheld pending the notification of her next of kin.

Michael Henry was properly restrained at the time of the crash and was not injured. He was the sole occupant of the school bus which belongs to the McCain Bus Service.

Impairment on the part of either operator is not believed to be a factor in this crash.

Traffic on southbound US13 was restricted to the right hand shoulder for approximately 3 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police. No charges have been filed at this time.

Image Credits: Submitted

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