Officials have released the names of the two people killed in yesterday’s accident on the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
James Salmon, Spokesman for the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) said at approximately 3:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon, Mary Sanderlin, 37, of Salem, New Jersey was driving a black Kia Optima passenger vehicle when it broke down in the middle right lane of the Delaware-bound span of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. A white Freightliner tractor-trailer, operated by a 30-year-old Virginia man, rear-ended the disabled car, pushing it from the middle right lane into the far right lane and into the guardrail, said Salmon.
Ms. Sanderlin and back seat passenger, Rudolf Parish, 29, of Bridgeton, New Jersey were pronounced dead at the scene. The families of the victims were notified by officers with Salem and Bridgeton Police Departments respectively. The front-seat passenger, a 28-year-old woman, of Penns Grove, New Jersey was transported to Christiana Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Salem County Prosecutor’s Office and the Gloucester County Medical Examiner responded to the scene to assist the DRBA Police as did numerous local fire and rescue units including New Castle EMS/Paramedics; Holloway Terrace Fire Company; Minquadale Fire Company; Wilmington Manor Fire Company; Goodwill Fire Company; Deepwater Fire Company; Inspira EMS/Paramedics and Delaware State Police Trooper 4.
Three lanes were closed on the Delaware-bound bridge from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with only the far left lane open. A second lane was reopened at 7:00 p.m., followed by a third lane at 8:30 p.m. The accident scene was cleared at 9:20 p.m. and all southbound lanes were open to traffic.
The accident investigation is continuing and charges are pending said Salmon.
