The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 8:49 a.m. Sunday, November 17, 2019, on southbound (I -95) John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway south of DE 273 and north of the Delaware Service Center.
The initial investigation has determined a 2013 Honda Pilot, operated by a 51-year-old female of Woodbridge, Virginia, was traveling in the right thru lane of southbound I-95 between DE 273 and the Delaware Service Area. A 2014 Volvo Tractor Trailer, operated by a 65-year-old male of Centereach, New York, was traveling southbound I-95 initially in the left thru lane, a few car lengths ahead of the Honda Pilot. For unknown reasons the tractor-trailer suddenly began drifting to the right in one continuous motion across all three of the southbound lanes. When the tractor-trailer entered the right thru lane, the right side rear of the trailer sideswiped the driver’s side of the Honda Pilot. The tractor-trailer then exited the roadway down a slight embankment and continued into a wooded area. The tractor-trailer struck several standing trees before it came to rest. The operator of the tractor-trailer was ejected from his vehicle after striking the final tree. The Honda Pilot came to a controlled stop along the shoulder.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, not properly restrained, was pronounced deceased at the collision scene. He was the sole occupant in the tractor-trailer. Impairment on his behalf is undetermined at this time. The identification of the victim is pending notification of next of kin.
The operator of the SUV, the sole occupant in her vehicle, was properly restrained. She was treated and released at the collision scene.
Three of the four southbound lanes of I-95 were closed for approximately 5 1/2 hours as the scene was investigated and cleared. The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit will further investigate this collision.
Breaking Report
Newark – Just after 8:45 this morning, Sunday, November 17, 2019, the Delaware State Police, along with crews from the Christiana Fire Company and Aetna Hose, Hook, and Ladder responded to I-95 SB for a crash involving a tractor-trailer and a small SUV.
Shortly after their arrival crews requested a response from Belvedere’s HAZMAT 30 and DNREC.
The accident occurred along a stretch of I-95 southbound near the service center.
The crash has closed three lanes.
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