Middletown – The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 1:13 a.m., Sunday, January 26, 2020 on State Route 1, just north of Fieldsboro Road in Middletown, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin aid the initial investigation has determined that a 2012 Nissan Altima, driven by 34-year-old Esteban Pantoja-Gordillo of Marydel, Maryland, was traveling southbound on SR 1, south of Middletown, when for an undetermined reason the vehicle left the east side of the roadway and struck a guardrail in the center median. After striking the guardrail the Nissan continued on to the right shoulder of southbound SR 1 where it became disabled.
Pantoja-Gordillo exited his vehicle and began walking southbound on SR 1 in the right lane of travel, just south of mile marker 82, when he was struck by a 2018 Nissan Altima, driven by a 41-year-old Smyrna woman. After impact Pantoja-Gordillo was thrown into the SR 1 southbound left lane of travel where he came to rest. The Altima came to a controlled stop and remained at the scene.
Pantoja-Gordillo was pronounced deceased at the scene. Austin said Pantoja-Gordillo was wearing all dark, non-reflective clothing and not carrying a light.
The female driver of the 2018 Nissan and three juvenile passengers in her vehicle, were all properly restrained and were not injured.
Southbound SR 1 was closed for approximately 3 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Cpl. J. Breen of the Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8486.
