Harrington– The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash that occurred last evening, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.
Jaffee said the crash occurred on March 4, 2020, at approximately 7:35 p.m., when a gray 2014 Buick Regal was traveling eastbound on Vernon Road (SR 14), approaching the intersection of Prospect Church Road.
The operator of the Regal was traveling at a high rate of speed and unable to properly negotiate the curve in the roadway. The operator lost control of the Regal and began to rotate counter-clockwise. A 2014 white Honda Odyssey was traveling westbound on Vernon Road approaching the intersection of Prospect Church Road. The operator of the Odyssey was unable to avoid the approaching, out of control Regal. The Regal struck the Odyssey within the westbound travel lane.
Following the initial impact, the Regal continued in a northeast direction, overturning onto its roof, and ejecting the operator from the vehicle. The Regal continued to slide on its roof before striking a telephone pole and coming to rest.
The operator of the Regal, 37-year-old Charles E. Garland Jr., of Felton, DE was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Odyssey, a 36-year-old female from Denton, MD, was properly restrained. She was transported to the Christiana Hospital with serious, non-life threatening injuries. A 7-year-old child was a rear seat passenger who was properly restrained and transported to the A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The crash continues to remain under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.
Below is our breaking report from last evening
Harrington – Rescue crews from the Harrington Fire Company along with Delaware State Police and Trooper 2 have responded to the 5400 block of Vernon Road for a crash with possible ejection.
First arriving crews have ordered the road closed and asked for DelDOT traffic control. A Trooper on scene is reporting two trapped. Crews are working to free the two trapped patients.
A third patient is in very serious condition.
Trooper 2 reporting 10 minutes out.
Update: Medics confirming one patient ejected in a high-speed rollover. Vehicle unrecognizable.
Update: Trooper 2 will fly to A.I. DuPont. Trooper 4 being alerted for transport of the second trapped patient.
Update: 8:15 PM – Troop 4 17 minutes out. The patient still trapped.
Update: 8:16 PM Harrington Command reporting the second patient extricated.
Update: 8:25 PM Trooper 4 is 7 minutes out.
Update: 8:35 PM Trooper 2 has arrived at A.I.
Update: Trooper 4 is en route to the Trauma Center at Christiana Hospital.
Update: Trooper 4 has not left the scene yet. The call into CER was just a notification. They should be taking off shortly.
The Delaware State Police has issued the following statement”Traffic Advisory-Crash at Vernon Rd and Prospect Church Rd.-Harrington”
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