The Delaware State Police has released the name of the Townsend man killed in Tuesday’s fiery crash on U.S. 13. Troopers have identified the man as 53-year-old Eugene T. Downward Jr.
Original Story
New Castle-The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate a multiple vehicle crash involving four vehicles that occurred earlier today, according to Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz.
The initial investigation has determined that on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., a 2003 Dodge Neon and a 2012 Nissan Frontier were stopped on US 13 northbound at the red light at the Red Lion Road intersection. The Nissan Frontier was in front of the Dodge Neon in the right lane of the two northbound lanes. A 2008 Hyundai Tiburon was disabled on the right shoulder in the area adjacent to the two other stopped vehicles. A 2016 Hino Box Truck was traveling northbound on US 13 approaching the same intersection. The operator of the Box Truck failed to stop behind the Dodge Neon and the front of the Box Truck struck the rear of the Neon for the first point of impact in the northbound right lane, according to Bratz. The Dodge Neon was pushed in a northwest direction and spun counterclockwise as it traveled to where it stopped north of the intersection. The Dodge Neon rapidly caught fire and was fully engulfed in flames upon stopping north of the intersection.
After the initial impact, the Box Truck continued in a northerly direction and its front struck the rear of the Nissan Frontier. The Frontier was pushed in a northwesterly direction through the intersection and overturned. It came to a stop in the median.
Simultaneous with the striking of the Nissan Frontier, the right side of the Box Truck struck the left side of the Hyundai Tiburon, which was disabled on the shoulder. After multiple impacts, the Box Truck traveled in a northeasterly direction where it stopped on the right northbound shoulder of US 13.
The operator of the Dodge Neon, a 53-year-old male of Townsend, was unable to escape the fire and was pronounced dead at the collision scene. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The operator of the Hyundai Tiburon, 71-year-old male of Middletown, was still seated in the driver’s seat attempting to start the vehicle and subsequently make tow arrangements when the collision occurred. He suffered non-life threatening injuries and was treated and released from the Christiana Hospital.
The operator of the Nissan Frontier, 71-year-old male of Middletown, was properly seat-belted and suffered non-life threatening injuries as a result of the impact. He was treated and released from the Christiana Hospital.
The operator of the Box Truck, Harold Holloway Jr., 62 of Bridgeport, Connecticut was properly seat-belted and suffered only minor injuries. He was treated and released from the Christiana Hospital. Holloway was charged with operation of a vehicle causing death of another person and inattentive driving. He is awaiting arraignment at this time. Impairment on his behalf is unknown at this time, said Bratz.
The front seat passenger in the Box Truck, 57-year-old female of Bridgeport, Connecticut was properly seat-belted and suffered non-life threatening injuries. She was treated and released from the Christiana Hospital.
U.S. 13 at the intersection of Red Lion Road was closed in both directions for approximately three hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.
The crash continues to remain under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit. Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to please contact Troop 2, Master Corporal J. Aube at 302-365-8483.
Breaking Report
Red Lion – Rescue crews are responding to Route 13 at Red Lion Road for reports of a motor vehicle accident with fire and entrapment.
Reports from the scene indicate that one person is trapped.
A view from DelDOT traffic cameras shows that multiple vehicles are involved in the crash.
Command is reporting that the roadway will be closed for a significant period of time.
All Route 13 NB traffic is being diverted onto Route 1 NB.
Developing
