Bear – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate a multi-vehicle crash involving two Troopers that took place on the Roth Bridge early Wednesday morning.
The initial investigation has determined that at approximately 4:15 a.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2019, two Troopers assigned to Troop 9 in Odessa, responded to State Route 1 southbound at the crest of the Roth Bridge, in reference to a disabled vehicle.
Upon arrival, they discovered a 2005 Dodge Durango, disabled on the right shoulder and the operator, a 31-year-old Townsend man, standing outside the vehicle. The first Trooper on scene activated his emergency lights and positioned his fully marked 2017 Chevy Tahoe patrol vehicle directly behind the Dodge.
The second Trooper arriving on scene also in a fully marked 2017 Chevy Tahoe with lights activated, positioned his vehicle in the right lane of travel to the rear of the first Trooper for added safety while they attended to the motorist.
After making initial contact with the operator, the first Trooper returned to his vehicle, while the second Trooper remained with him at the rear of his Dodge. At this time a 2016 International tractor-trailer, operated by a 47-year-old Warminster, PA man was traveling SR 1 southbound in the right lane and failed to perceive the stopped vehicles. The front end of the tractor-trailer struck the rear of the first Tahoe which was unoccupied, creating a chain reaction collision between all four vehicles and the guardrail.
The operator of the Dodge and the Trooper who was standing with him were struck in the process. Both were transported to the Christiana Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Trooper who was seated in his vehicle was also transported to the Christiana Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the tractor-trailer who was not injured was cited for Inattentive Driving.
SR 1 southbound on the Roth Bridge had intermittent lane closures and restrictions for approximately 5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Cpl. J. Aube of the Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8483.
Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com
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