Troopers Identify Newark Man Killed In I-495 Chain Reaction Crash

Claymont– The Delaware State Police have identified the name of the driver who died in a motor vehicle crash on I-495 on April 18, 2020 as 30-year-old Dannie M. Fenwick of Newark, DE.

Update

Claymont- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred last evening on I-495, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.

Jaffe said the incident occurred on April 18, 2020, at approximately 10:15 p.m., when a Mercury Marquis was traveling southbound on I-495 in the area of mile marker 9.0 when the operator lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail. The Marquis spun out of control and back across the southbound lanes of I-495, coming to rest against the guardrail on the west side of the highway.

Shortly thereafter, a Mitsubishi Outlander was traveling southbound on I-495 and struck pieces of debris in the roadway from the Marquis. The Outlander became disabled in the right shoulder south of the scene. A Dodge Journey was traveling southbound on I-495 and swerved to avoid the debris, the operator lost control and struck the guardrail positioned in the grass median. The Journey came to rest within the left lane of travel.

A Buick LeSabre was also traveling southbound on I-495 and attempted to avoid striking debris in the roadway and the disabled Journey. The operator of the LeSabre swerved and lost control of his vehicle, striking the guardrail on the west side of the highway where it came to a stop.

A Honda Civic was also traveling southbound on I-495 and the operator was unable to perceive the Journey disabled in the left lane and struck same. A Toyota Rav4 was traveling northbound on I-495 and was struck by the debris during the sequence of events, shattering its windshield.

The operator of the Mercury Marquis, a 30-year-old male of Newark, DE, was not properly restrained and ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. His name is being withheld at this time pending the notification of next of kin.

The operator of the Mitsubishi Outlander, a 35-year-old female of Smyrna, DE, was properly restrained and did not sustain injury.

The operator of the Dodge Journey, a 34-year-old female of New Castle, DE was properly restrained, she and her two passengers ages 11 and 17 were transported to the Saint Francis Hospital with minor, non-life threatening injuries.

The operator of the Buick LeSabre, a 29-year-old male of Philadelphia, PA, was properly restrained and did not sustain injury. His 5-year-old son was a passenger and transported to the AI DuPont Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The operator of the Honda Civic, an 18-year-old male of Wilmington, DE was properly restrained and did not sustain injury.

The operator of the Toyota Rav4, a 59-year-old female of Bear, DE was properly restrained and did not sustain injury.

All lanes of I-495 southbound in the area of mile marker 9.0 were closed for approximately 4 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

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

Breaking Report

Wilmington – Rescue crews have responded to I-495 SB in the are of E Holly Oak Road for reports of a motor vehicle crash.

Initial reports from the scene indicate that this is a fatal accident.

Trooper 4 is landing at the crash site now.

Update: Crews are reporting that the fatality is the result of an ejection from the vehicle.

Update: 10:45 PM Crews are reporting that that one patient is en route to St. Francis and a second patient is en route to AI DuPont.

I-495 SB has been shut down.

About Staff Writer

First State Update's Delaware editorial team covers New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County breaking news, political news, and general news stories. We bring the reader the latest news from the Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Rehoboth Beach and all point in between. If you have news to share, email us at [email protected].

View all posts by Staff Writer →