Troopers: Driver Fled Route 7 Fatal Accident On Friday, Victim Identified

Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred last Friday on Stanton Christiana Road (Route 7), according to Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell.

Hatchell said on Friday, October 15, 2021, at approximately 3:43 p.m., a 1977 MG MGB was traveling northbound Stanton Christiana Road (Route 7) from the intersection of Old Stanton Christiana Road in the right lane. The vehicle began slowing and came to a stop due to traffic ahead. At the same time, a 2020 GMC Sierra pickup truck traveling northbound in the right lane directly behind the MGB, failed to stop for traffic ahead and struck the rear of the MGB. After impact, the MGB was pushed across the northbound lanes and came to rest in the right lane of southbound Route 7. The GMC continued in a northwesterly direction across the northbound lanes and into the center median where it struck the crash attenuator located within the median. This second collision redirected the GMC into the northbound lanes where it overturned on its roof and came to rest.

The 51-year-old operator of the MGB, identified as John Porter of Wilmington, was transported to Christiana Hospital for life-threatening injuries. At the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased said Hatchell.

The 28-year-old operator of the GMC freed himself from the overturned vehicle and fled from the scene on foot, according to Hatchell. He was later apprehended by troopers approximately half a mile from the collision scene. Once he was taken into custody Troopers initiated a DUI investigation. The results of the DUI investigation are pending, said Hatchell.

Stanton Christiana Road (Route 7) was closed for approximately 3 hours while the crash was investigated, and the roadway cleared.

The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information regarding this collision should contact Sergeant Alexander with the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8437.

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