Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred on Route 13 in the New Castle early Wednesday, according to Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell.
Hatchell said on June 1, 2022, at approximately 2:09 a.m., a 2017 Honda Pilot pulling a U-Haul trailer was traveling southbound on Route 13 south of Interstate 295. The operator, a 65-year-old male of Seaford fell asleep at the wheel and drifted out of the right lane of travel and into the right shoulder, according to Hatchell.
The right front tire struck a raised curb in the 500 block of North DuPont Highway for the first impact. Following that impact, the Honda rotated counterclockwise until its passenger side struck a large steel support for an overhead roadway sign. The second impact caused the Honda to rotate clockwise in a northerly direction, eventually rolling over into its roof. The Honda slid a short distance on its roof before coming to rest partially within the right shoulder and right lane of travel.
The operator and his front-seat passenger were wearing their seatbelts. Both were transported by ambulance to an area hospital where the operator was admitted for non-life-threatening injuries. The front-seat passenger, a 60-year-old Seaford woman, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital and was pronounced deceased. Identification of the victim is pending notification to the next-of-kin.
Southbound lanes of Route 13 were restricted to just the left lane for approximately 3 hours while the investigation was completed, and the roadway was cleared.
