On August 3, 2024, at about 5:08 am, Newark Police responded to Rittenhouse Park, 228 West Chestnut Hill Road, for a report of people arguing. Upon arrival, officers located a Ford F-150 pick-up truck which had struck a tree in the park.
Officers found a female seated in the rear seat of the vehicle. She was found to have suffered fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver fled the scene prior to police arrival.
The Newark Police Department’s Traffic Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. Preliminary investigation determined that the vehicle was exiting the park at an apparent high rate of speed when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle left the gravel roadway and struck a tree police said.
Police identified the victim in this crash as Catherine Spanos, 46, of Newark. The male driver of the vehicle has been identified but they did not release his name. No charges have been filed at this time police said Monday. The investigation into the circumstances of the crash continues by the Newark Police Department Traffic Unit.
