Wilmington – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 11:44 p.m., Tuesday, November 5, 2019, on southbound I -95 south of Rt. 202, in the area of the Delaware Avenue off-ramp.
The initial investigation has determined that a 2016 Honda Accord, operated by a 28-year-old Wilmington man, was traveling I-95 southbound in the middle lane approaching the Brandywine River Bridge. A 2005 Mercury Mountaineer, operated by a 34-year-old Philadelphia, PA woman, was traveling in the I-95 southbound left lane at an apparent high rate of speed. As the Mercury was passing the Honda, the driver of the Mercury failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway and drifted into the middle lane with its right rear side striking the front left side of the Honda, according to police. After this initial collision, the Mercury struck a guard rail at which time the driver was ejected. After striking the guardrail the Mercury overturned, ejecting a 5-year-old male passenger in the vehicle. The Honda also struck a guardrail before coming to a stop.
The driver of the Mercury, who was not wearing a seatbelt was transported to the Christiana Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Impairment on her behalf is undetermined at this time. Identification of the victim is pending notification of next of kin.
The 5-year-old male passenger in the Mercury was also not restrained and he was transported to the Nemours A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children in critical condition.
The driver of the Honda, who was seat belted, was transported to the St. Francis hospital with minor injuries. Neither speed nor impairment is deemed as contributing factors on his behalf.
Southbound I-95 was closed for approximately 5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Cpl. J. Forester of the Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8485.