The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian that occurred Friday evening, according to Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz.
Bratz said the initial investigation has determined the incident occurred at approximately 7:09 p.m., Friday, June 21, 2019, as a pedestrian, 23-year-old New Jersey woman approached the intersection on Faulkland from the west side of Newport Gap Pike (DE 41).
The woman initially stopped for the red traffic control signal and stood within the construction zone next to the construction barrels. As she waited, two vehicles to her right on southbound Newport Gap Pike were stopped for the red traffic control signal.
Bratz said the light sequence at this location reflects a red light for the pedestrian and also for the southbound traffic on Newport Gap Pike. However, the light was green for northbound traffic on Newport Gap Pike. Unaware of the traffic light sequence at this specific intersection, the operator of the first vehicle physically gestured the pedestrian to cross in front of their vehicle because they also had a red light. The pedestrian then acknowledged the operator’s hand signal and entered the roadway without looking to her left for the northbound traffic, which had the green light. Due to the construction zone, the pedestrian’s first steps placed her directly into the northbound lane. At the same time, a Ford E-350 passenger van approached the intersection towards the green traffic control signal and continued northbound into the intersection. The front right side of the vehicle struck the pedestrian.
The 23-year old pedestrian, Allie R. Zambito, was pronounced deceased at the scene as a result of her injuries.
The 45-year-old male driver of Pennsylvania immediately pulled over to the shoulder. He was wearing his seatbelt. The vehicle was also occupied by four teenage females, ranging from ages 15 to 17 years old. They were returning to their residence in Pennsylvania. No injuries reported. Neither speed nor alcohol on the part of the driver was deemed contributing factors in this collision investigation.
Newport Gap Pike was closed for approximately two and a half hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.