Claymont – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate a fatal crash involving four vehicles, that occurred at approximately 10:53 a.m., Monday, December 3, 2018, on I-495 northbound north of Philadelphia Pike, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said the initial investigation has determined that a 2011 GMC Canyon pick-up truck, operated by a 63-year-old Havertown, PA man, was traveling I-495 northbound in the right lane, just north of Philadelphia Pike. A 2015 Infiniti GX60, operated by a 20-year-old, Philadelphia woman, was following directly behind the GMC and a 2002 Ford Explorer, operated by a 39-year-old Wilmington man, was directly behind the Infiniti. All three vehicles were slowing in traffic due to a temporary lane closure which was further to the north.
A 2011 Freightliner tractor-trailer operated by a 33-year-old Elkton, Maryland man was traveling northbound in the right lane behind the other vehicles and failed to slow in time, in turn striking the rear end of the Ford, according to Austin. The Ford was forced off the right side of the road into a steel guardrail before coming to rest in the northbound lanes. The Freightliner continued in a northerly direction striking the rear of the Infiniti, which was in turn pushed into the rear of the GMC. The Infiniti, GMC, and Freightliner all came to final rest in the northbound lanes of I-495.
The operator of the GMC was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured.
The operator of the Infiniti was not wearing a seatbelt and was transported to the Wilmington Hospital with minor injuries.
The operator of the Freightliner was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured.
The operator of the Ford who was seat belted and was transported to the Christiana Hospital in critical condition.
Yolanda Frank, 46, of Newark, a front seat passenger in the Ford, who was seat belted, was pronounced deceased upon arrival at Christiana Hospital.
I-495 northbound was closed for approximately 5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
Breaking Report
Claymont – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently on scene of a fatal crash involving four vehicles, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said that accident occurred this morning, Monday, December 3, 2018, at approximately 10:53, on I-495 northbound at Philadelphia Pike.
Rescue crews from the Claymont Fire Company, along with crews from the Brandywine Hundred Fire Company, New Castle County Paramedics, Delaware State Police and Trooper 4 responded to the scene.
While responding to the scene, crews were alerted by a Trooper already on scene that at least one patient was trapped.
Upon arrival, Command requested an additional medic for a second patient.
Troopers have confirmed that this is a fatal accident, however, they have not released the number of people injured or killed.
As a result of the crash, all northbound lanes of I-495 are closed at Philadelphia Pike. Motorists are advised to use I-95 northbound as an alternate.
The investigation is in the early stages. Further details will be posted as they become available.
Breaking Report
Rescue crews are responding to I-495 NB at Philadelphia Pike for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment.
Troopers on scene are reporting that at least one patient is trapped.
I-495 NB is shut down. Some drivers are driving the wrong direction on the Philadelphia Pike I-95 NB on-ramp.
A Trooper and a Fire Command truck almost struck the wrong way traffic.
Trooper 4 is en route.
HAZMAT has been requested for this scene.
Command has asked for medics for an additional patient. It’s unclear if this patient is trapped as well.
Crews are working a second crash on I-495 SB south of this first accident. A second vehicle has rolled over on the Christian River Bridge.
Arriving crews are checking for injuries. Update: No injuries reported in the rollover crash on the bridge.
Developing
