Felton – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to a fatal motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian that occurred early Saturday east of Felton, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale.
Hale said that the crash occurred at approximately 1:41 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016, as Christopher Thompson, 32, of Coatesville, PA, was operating a 2006 Dodge 3500 pick up truck, which was pulling a 30 foot enclosed box trailer, and was traveling on eastbound SR 12 (Midstate Road) east of Chimney Hill Road, Felton.
Due to a mechanical problem with the trailer, Thompson had pulled onto the right hand shoulder of the roadway; however, a portion of the trailer remained in the eastbound lane of travel, Hale said.
Thompson then placed a floor jack under the driver’s side of the enclosed box trailer’s tires, and as he was standing in the eastbound lane of the roadway, he was struck by the right front bumper of a fully marked Harrington Police Tahoe . The Tahoe was being operated by 47 year old Carl J. Klotz, an off-duty police officer from the Harrington Police Department. Thompson was thrown onto the hood and windshield of the Tahoe before landing in the eastbound lane of travel where he came to rest, according to Hale
Christopher Thompson, who was dressed in all dark clothing at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither alcohol nor drugs use on the part of Thompson appear to be a factor in this crash, Hale said.
The male operator of the Tahoe, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was not injured. Alcohol and drug use on the part of the operator is not being considered as a factor in the crash. Excessive speed is also not being considered as a factor. The name of the Harrington Police officer is being withheld but will be released at a later date.
A female passenger, who was seated in the rear passenger seat of the Dodge, was not injured in the crash.
Midstate Road was closed for approximately five hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.
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