Delaware State Police arrested a Dover woman following a fatal two-vehicle collision in New Castle early Saturday morning.
Officials said the crash occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. on the southbound side of North DuPont Highway near Christiana Road. According to investigators, a Kenworth tractor trailer was traveling in the left middle lane when a southbound Lexus ES 350 approached from behind and struck the rear of the trailer after failing to slow down. The impact caused the Lexus to spin, cross a raised concrete median, and collide with a traffic sign.
A passenger in the Lexus, identified as 36-year-old Ashley Henry, of New Castle, Delaware was ejected during the crash. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Lexus, identified as 36-year-old Ashley Wright of Dover, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said Wright showed signs of impairment at the time of the crash. The driver of the tractor trailer, a 32-year-old Delaware City man, was not injured.
State Police closed the southbound lanes of North DuPont Highway for approximately six hours while members of the Collision Reconstruction Unit conducted their investigation and crews cleared the roadway. Following her release from the hospital, Wright was taken to Troop 2 and formally charged in connection with the crash.
Wright was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 on charges including Vehicular Homicide 2nd Degree, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, and additional traffic offenses. She was released after posting a $10,102 cash bond. The Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
