Smyrna- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a crash that has turned fatal, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.
Jaffe said the incident occurred on July 20, 2019, at approximately 3:19 a.m., when a 2015 Freightliner Tractor was stopped in the left turn lane of southbound US RT 13 waiting to make a left turn into the Smyrna Rest Area. A 2012 Buick Verano was traveling southbound on US RT 13 approaching the tractor trailer’s location. For unknown reasons the front of the Verano struck the rear of the tractor-trailer, causing its front end to be lodged underneath the tractor-trailer.
The operator of the tractor-trailer, a 23-year-old male from Levittown, PA was properly restrained. He was transported to the Bayhealth Kent General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The operator of the Verano, a 40-year-old female from Newark, DE was properly restrained. She was transported to the Christiana Hospital with serious injuries. On July 21, 2019, she succumbed to her injuries. Her name is being withheld at this time pending the notification of next of kin.
US RT 13 southbound was closed for approximately 2 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.
The crash continues to remain under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.
Breaking Report
Smyrna – At 3:19 this morning Saturday, July 20, 2019, rescue crews from the Citizens Hose Company of Smyrna, Cheswold Volunteer Fire Company, Kent County Special Ops, Kent County Medics and Trooper 4 responded to 5500 Dupont Parkway, in the area of the Smyrna Rest Stop, for reports of a motor vehicle crash with entrapment.
While en route crews learned that a vehicle was trapped underneath a tractor-trailer.
Upon their arrival crews confirmed that one patient was trapped and began the extrication rescue.
Trooper 4, on scene about 10 minutes after dispatch, was alerted that the extrication would be a lengthy process and to go ahead and shut down.
At 4:07 Smyrna Command reported that the patient had been freed from the vehicle. Minutes later Command placed the scene under control.
A little over an hour after the crash occurred Trooper 4 transported the patient to the Trauma Center at Christina Hospitals with undetermined injuries.
The southbound lanes of Route 13 remained closed while the crash was investigated and cleared.