Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred Sunday Night on South DuPont Highway (Route 13) at the intersection to Red Lion Road, according to Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell.
Hatchell said on Sunday, October 31, 2021, at approximately 6:22 p.m., a 2000 Peterbilt tractor-trailer was stopped northbound Route 13 in the right lane at the intersection of Red Lion Road for a red traffic signal. At the time, a 1997 Jeep Wrangler was traveling northbound Route 13 in the right lane approaching the tractor-trailer. When the traffic signal transitioned to green, the tractor-trailer began to slowly move forward. For unknown reasons, the Jeep failed to reduce its speed and the front the Jeep struck the rear of the trailer. As a result of the collision, the Jeep traveled out of control off the right shoulder and into the grassy area. The Jeep overturned on its passenger side momentarily before returning to all four wheels.
The operator and sole occupant of the Jeep, a 53-year-old male of Middletown, was not properly restrained and was partially ejected from his vehicle. The victim was pronounced deceased at the collision scene. Identification of the victim is pending notification to the next of kin.
The operator of the Peterbilt tractor-trailer was not injured.
Northbound Route 13 was closed for approximately 4 hours while the crash was being investigated and the roadway cleared.
Correction: initial reports from the scene indicated that the tractor-trailer struck the Jeep. Those reports were incorrect.