Troopers Update Sweet Potato Tractor-Trailer Crash

Middletown – Delaware State Police are investigating a crash involving an overturned tractor trailer that has closed Summit Bridge Road, Public Information Officer, according to Master Corporal Michael Austin.

Austin said the incident occurred at approximately 1:54 a.m., Thursday, December 28, 2017, on Summit Bridge Road (DE 71) northbound, south of Old School House Road, Middletown.

A 2010 Freightliner tractor trailer, operated by a 34-year-old North Carolina man, was traveling Summit Bridge Road northbound, south of Old School House Road, when a deer crossed the roadway, directly in front of his vehicle. The driver swerved to avoid striking the deer at which time he lost control of the vehicle, with it overturning onto its right side. Prior to the vehicle coming to rest, the trailer struck and snapped a Delmarva utility pole, causing damage to a transformer. The tractor trailer, which was hauling assorted produce, came to rest, blocking all lanes of Summit Bridge Road.

The driver, as well as a 56-year-old passenger, also from North Carolina, were able to exit the vehicle under their own power, prior to being transported to the Christiana Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Summit Bridge Road remains closed between Marl Pit Road/Armstrong Corner Road and Boyds Corner Road/Churchtown Road, as the cargo is off-loaded and the vehicle removed. Delmarva Power crews are also on scene making repairs to the utility pole.

At last check 1:50 pm the road is still closed.

Original Post

Middletown – At approximately 1:55 this morning, New Castle County Paramedics and Middletown Volunteer Hose Company were dispatched to the 4000 block of Summit Bridge Road for a motor vehicle crash
with report of a rollover, according to Paramedic First Class Yvonne Russell.

Russell said upon arrival, New Castle County Paramedics found a tractor trailer turned onto its side and two patients, already removed from the trailer. During the accident the truck struck a utility pole, which brought down the power lines, blocking the road.

Officials said that the first patient, a 34-year-old man, suffered injuries to his chest, he was transported to Christiana Hospital accompanied by New Castle County Paramedics. The second patient, a 56-year-old man, suffered injuries to his leg. He was transported to Christiana Hospital accompanied by emergency medical technicians (EMT’s).

Russell said both patients were transported via Middletown Volunteer Hose Company ambulance in stable condition.

DelDOT, Delmarva Power and tow crews remain on scene repairing power lines and cleaning up a load of sweet potatoes the big rig was hauling.

Summit Bridge Road between Marl Pit Road and 896 remains closed.

Delaware State Police is investigating the crash.

 

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