Wilmington – The Delaware State Police have charged 54-year-old Sonja L. Todd of Wilmington with Vehicular Assault after it was determined that she was driving under the influence of drugs when she ran a red light and struck another vehicle on Rt. 202 in front of the Concord Mall on Tuesday afternoon, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said the incident occurred at approximately 1:06 p.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2019 on Rt. 202 (Concord Pike) at the intersection with the south exit of the Concord Mall. A 2005 GMC stake body truck, operated by Todd, was northbound on Rt. 202 in the left lane and failed to stop at the red light at the intersection of the Concord Mall exit. A 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, operated by a 17-year-female from Philadelphia, was exiting the mall with a green light, attempting to proceed southbound on Rt. 202 when it was struck on its driver’s side by the GMC.
The 17-year-old driver of the Chevy was transported to the A.I. DuPont Hospital for children with serious injuries. Neither impairment nor improper driving are being deemed as factors on her behalf. An 18-year-old female passenger in the Chevy was transported to the Christiana Hospital also with serious injuries. A 13-year-old passenger was not injured.
Austin said Todd, who was not injured, was found to be under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash and was charged with 2 counts of Vehicular Assault 1st Degree, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Failure to Stop at a Red Light. She was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #2 and released after posting a $6,600.00 secured bond.
Traffic on Rt. 202 northbound was restricted to one lane for approximately 90 minutes while the scene was investigated and cleared.
