DUI Investigation Underway In Connection With Crash That Sent Trooper, Teen To The Hospital

Wilmington – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a two vehicle crash involving a Delaware State Trooper that occurred last night north of Wilmington, according to Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz.

Bratz said the preliminary investigation has determined the crash occurred at approximately 7:32 p.m., Thursday, June 14, 2018 as a 51-year-old trooper was operating a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle, traveling northbound on Concord Pike (US 202) with emergency lights and siren activated attempted to turn left into Concord Gallery Shopping Center for an in-progress complaint.

The patrol vehicle slowly enters the intersection and waits for the southbound lanes of US 202 to observe his vehicle and come to a stop. Vehicles in the left lane and middle come to a complete stop and the patrol vehicle begins to proceed slowly through the intersection.

At was at this time that another vehicle, a 2010 Toyota Corolla, operated by a female, 17, of Wilmington, was traveling southbound on US 202 at the entrance to Concord Gallery in the right lane. The driver failed to observe the patrol vehicle and as a result struck the right front side of the patrol cruiser, according Bratz. After impact the patrol vehicle and the Toyota Corolla both stopped southwest of the collision.

The male trooper was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision. He was transported by ambulance to the Christiana Hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The 17-year-old female was also wearing her seatbelt at the time of the collision and was transported to AI DuPont Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A DUI investigation is being conducted and charges are pending for this driver, said Bratz.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.

Two lanes of US 202 southbound at Concord Gallery and Prospect Avenue were closed for 2 ½ hours as the crash was investigated and cleared. They have since been re-opened.

Original Report

Delaware State Police is currently investigating a two vehicle crash involving a Delaware State Trooper that occurred this evening north of Wilmington, according to Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz.

Bratz said the preliminary investigation has determined the crash occurred at approximately 7:32 p.m., today, June 14, 2018 as a trooper, operating a police vehicle, traveling northbound on Concord Pike (US 202) with lights and siren activated attempted to turn left into Concord Gallery Shopping Center for an in-progress complaint. At this time another vehicle, a Toyota Corolla was traveling southbound on US 202 in the right lane struck the left passenger side of the patrol cruiser.

Both the trooper and driver of the other vehicle were transported to a local area hospitals and are listed in stable condition.

Two lanes of US 202 southbound are closed at Concord Gallery and Prospect Avenue and will be closed for an extended period of time. The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is en-route to the scene.

Motorist should expect delays in this area and are advised to use caution and slow down. May need to seek alternate routes of travel.

Developing

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