One Dead, Six Others Injured In Route 13 Crash

Camden – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating a  fatal motor vehicle collision involving four vehicles that occurred Monday evening, according to Public Information Officer, Corporal Jason Hatchell.

Hatchell said the incident occurred on November 25, 2019, at approximately 5:51 p.m., when a 2013 Chevy Express Van was traveling southbound on S. DuPont Highway (US 13) approaching Thomas Harmon Drive.

A 2003 GMC Sierra was stopped/slowing in heavy traffic, which had backed up from the Thomas Harmon Drive traffic light. A 2015 Mazda CX9 was stopped/slowing in traffic directly in front of the Sierra.

A 2006 Ford Fusion was stopped/slowing in traffic directly in front of the Mazda. The operator of the Express Van failed to observe the traffic stopped in front of him and struck the rear of the Sierra, said Hatchell. The impact caused a train-reaction with the Sierra striking the rear of the Mazda, and the Mazda striking the rear of the Ford.

The driver of the Chevy Express van, a 53-year-old male of Harrington, DE was properly restrained and sustained minor injuries.

The driver of the Sierra, 35-year-old Marcus Smith of Dover was properly restrained. Smith was transported to the Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. A 26-year-old female passenger in this vehicle was properly restrained and sustained minor injuries.

The driver of the Mazda, a 51-year-old female of Magnolia and her 23-year-old female passenger were both properly restrained and sustained minor injuries.

The driver of the Ford, a 37-year-old female of Dover, DE and her 39-year-old female passenger were both properly restrained and sustained minor injuries.

Southbound S. DuPont Highway in the area of Thomas Harmon Drive was closed for approximately five hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

The crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.

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