Troopers Update Deadly Crash Near Smyrna

Smyrna– The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash that occurred last evening, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.

Jaffe said the incident occurred on June 6, 2019, at approximately 7:10 p.m., when a Dodge Ram 2500 was traveling westbound on Wheatley’s Pond Road (SR 300) towards the intersection of Mt. Friendship Road. A Nissan Altima was stopped/slowing to a stop, facing westbound on Wheatley’s Pond Road preparing to make a left turn onto Mt. Friendship Road. The operator of the Dodge Ram failed to properly perceive the Altima preparing to make the left turn and collided with same, said Jaffe.

The operator of the Dodge Ram, a 24-year-old male from Marydel, MD was properly restrained. He was transported to the Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he was treated and released.

The operator of the Altima, a 19-year-old male from Clayton, DE was properly restrained. He and his front seat passenger, an 18-year-old male from Smyrna, who was also properly restrained, were transported to the Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where they were treated and released.

There were three rear seat passengers in the Altima who were properly restrained. The left rear seat passenger, a 17-year-old male from Smyrna, sustained serious injuries and was transported to the Bayhealth Kent General Hospital and later transported to the Christiana Hospital. The middle rear seat passenger, a 15-year-old male from Smyrna, sustained serious injuries and was transported to the Christiana Hospital.

The right rear seat passenger, a 16-year-old male from Clayton, DE sustained serious injuries and was transported to the Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. His name is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.

Wheatley’s Pond Road at Mt. Friendship Road was closed for approximately 6 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

The crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.

Breaking Report

Smyrna -Just after 7L00 this evening rescue crews from the Citizen Hose Company of Smyrna along with crews from the Clayton Fire Company, Kent County Medics and Trooper 4 responded to the 1700 block of Wheatleys Pond Road for a motor vehicle crash with multiple injuries.

While en route crews were told that possibly five people were injured and that two subjects were trapped.

Command alerted Trooper 4 to step it up and that they would be utilized. Command requested four ambulances and an additional rescue team.

Trooper 4 has transported one of the patients to the trauma center at Christiana Hospital. That patient is in very serious condition.

Delaware State Police issued the following statement: Traffic Advisory-Mt. Friendship Rd east of Wheatley’s Pond Road closed due to crash.

We are gathering information and should have more shortly. Check back.

Update:

We think more patients were transported, however, at this time we can only confirm that two patients have been transported.

One of the patients is a child in their teens.

We have opted to wait for official word from the Delaware State Police to report further details regarding this crash. We hope you understand.