Wilmington – The Delaware State Police are investigating a serious hit and run crash of a male subject on a motorized wheel chair which occurred late last night, according to Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard Bratz.
Bratz said the preliminary investigation indicates the crash occurred Friday, July 7, 2017, at approximately 10:44 p.m. as a 29-year-old male of Wilmington had operated a motorized wheel chair eastbound in the westbound lane of East Lea Boulevard. A dark colored SUV was traveling westbound on East Lea Boulevard approaching the intersection with North Market Street in the straight/right turn lane. As the motorized wheel chair traveled directly into the path of the SUV, the front right of the vehicle struck the right side of the wheel chair. The collision caused the wheel chair to spin in a counter clockwise direction and went partially up onto the sidewalk before tipping over and trapping the operator under the wheel chair. The operator of the dark colored SUV pulled into the parking lot and stopped briefly before fleeing the scene on eastbound East Lea Boulevard.
The 29-year-old male was treated at the scene by EMS and was transported by ambulance to a local area hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The victim on the wheelchair did not have any lights or reflective equipment displayed on the front of the wheel chair, but did have a reflective vest on the back of his chair.
Troopers continue to collect and analyze evidence at the scene to determine make and model of the striking vehicle.
East Lea Boulevard in the area of the collision was closed for approximately one hour while the crash was investigated and cleared. Troopers continue to investigate this incident.
Troopers are attempting to locate the driver and vehicle that fled this crash and request anyone with information in reference to this incident to contact, the M/Cpl. A. Pietlock at Troop 1 at 302-761-6677. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”