Update: Kirkwood Highway Closed Due To Serious Crash, One Dead

Wilmington – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing the investigation of a two vehicle crash which has claimed the life of 66-year-old Donald Abbott, of Wilmington, that occurred this yesterday, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale.

Hale said the investigation thus far has determined that the crash occurred today, Saturday, March 11, 2017, at approximately 2:41 p.m., as a 66-year-old Wilmington man was operating a 2005 Buick Lacrosse and was attempting to make a left hand turn from westbound DE SR 2 (Kirkwood Highway) onto Woodlawn Avenue.

As the operator of the Lacrosse began to make the turn, he entered directly into the path of a 2012 Honda Accord, which was traveling in the center lane of eastbound SR 2 and was being operated by Ellen Salcedo, 47, of Wilmington.

The front of the Honda then struck the right hand side of the Buick which caused it to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. It then traveled in a southeasterly direction before coming to rest in a grassy area off of the roadway. The Honda rotated in a clockwise direction and traveled in a southeasterly direction before coming to rest on the sidewalk south of the roadway.

The male operator of the Buick Lacrosse was not properly restrained at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld pending the notification of his next of kin.

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Ellen Salcedo was properly restrained at the time of the crash. She was treated at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics before being transported by ambulance to the Christiana Hospital where she was treated for her non-life threatening injuries.

Neither alcohol, drug use, or excessive speed appear to be a factors in this crash.

The eastbound lanes of SR 2 were closed for approximately 3 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

Original Report
Wilmington – Delaware State Police are currently investigating a serious motor vehicle crash which occurred west of Wilmington this afternoon, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale.

Hale said that the initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 2:40 p.m. today, Saturday, March 11, 2017, on eastbound DE Rt. 2 (Kirkwood Highway) at Woodhaven Drive, and involves two vehicles.

The accident left one car on the sidewalk with heavy damage to the front end. A second car plowed in to the Fulton Bank building.

An employee at the paint store across the road said “I heard a loud bang  looked up and saw the car in the bank.”

As a result of the crash, two people, one of which has sustained serious injuries, have been removed from the scene and transported to the Christiana Hospital, according to Hale.

The eastbound lanes of Kirkwood Highway are currently closed between Farrand Drive and Duncan Road. Commuters are asked to find alternate routes of travel.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police. Further information will be provided at the conclusion of the investigation.