West Dover – Troopers are investigating a two car crash that occurred in the beginning of March resulting in the death of a Dover man, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier.
Fournier said that the incident occurred around 9:18 p.m. Saturday March 4, 2017 as John D. Downs, 75 of Dover, was operating a 2007 Honda Ridgeline southbound on Chestnut Grove Road, stopped at the stop sign at Forest Avenue (SR8). Kristina Schweitzer, 45 of Hartly, was operating a 2008 Jeep Cherokee westbound on SR8 approaching the intersection of Chestnut Grove Road.
The Honda pulled away from the stop sign to cross over SR8 and was struck on the driver’s side door by the Jeep’s front bumper. After the impact, the Honda spun in a counter-clockwise direction traveling in a southwesterly direction before coming to a stop on the south edge of SR8. The Jeep traveled in a southwesterly direction before coming to a stop in the east bound lane of SR8.
John Downs was properly restrained and transported by EMS to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital (KGH) where he was admitted in stable condition. He was later transferred to Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital where he died on Tuesday March 21, 2017.
Downs’ 75-year-old wife was properly restrained in the passenger’s seat and was transported to KGH with non-life-threatening injuries.
Kristina Schweitzer was properly restrained and was transported to KGH where she was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be contributing factors on behalf of either driver.