New Castle– Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer that occurred at approximately 1:53 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2020, on S. DuPont Highway, according to Public Information Officer, Corporal/1 Jason Hatchell.
Hatchell said the initial investigation has determined a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox was stopped in the right lane of northbound S. DuPont Highway for a red traffic light at the intersection to Red Lion Road. A 2018 Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling in the right lane of northbound S. DuPont Highway and failed to stop. The front of the Freightliner struck the rear of the Equinox, pushing it off the roadway and causing it to spin out of control until it struck a tree.
The operator of the Equinox, a 72-year-old female from Oceanview, DE, and the front seat passenger, a 75-year-old male from Oceanview were properly restrained. Both victims were transported to Christiana Hospital where they were pronounced deceased. Their names are being withheld at this time pending the notification of next of kin.
The operator of the tractor-trailer, a 41-year-old male from Ephrata, PA, was not injured as a result of the crash.
Northbound S. DuPont Highway between Route 1 and Hamburg Road was closed for approximately 3 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information regarding the crash should contact Det. Breen of the Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8486.