Troopers Identify Married Couple Killed In Accident Friday

Delaware State Police have identified the individuals who died in a fatal motor vehicle collision on October 29, 2021, as Toni Waltman, 74, of Wilmington, and her husband, Hayes Waltman, 75, of Wilmington.

Original Story

Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred Friday morning in the Elsmere area, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper.

Pepper said on October 29, 2021, at approximately 10:19 a.m., a black 2020 Ford Edge operated by a 74-year-old Wilmington woman was traveling northbound in the left lane on Centerville Road, just north of Liberty Road. A white 2011 Toyota Rav4 operated by a 60-year-old Wilmington man was traveling southbound on Centerville Road towards Liberty Road. In the area where the cars were traveling, a CSX railroad crossing had the lights activated to warn of a train approaching. The operator of the Rav4 was attempting to cross the railroad tracks before the train crossed over the tracks said Pepper. At the same time, the operator of the Ford Edge had begun to make a U-Turn before the railroad crossing. As a result, the front of the Rav4 collided with the right side of the Ford Edge in the left lane of southbound Centerville Road.

The 74-year-old Ford Edge driver was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Also in the Ford was a 75-year-old Wilmington man seated in the front passenger seat. The passenger was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Identification is pending notification to the next of kin for both victims.

The 60-year-old Toyota Rav4 driver was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Breaking Report

At around 10:15 Friday morning rescue crews from several area fire companies, New Castle County Paramedics, and Trooper 4 along with Delaware State Police responded to the 1100 block of Centerville Road in Wilmington.

First responders were dispatched to the area for reports of a serious crash with multiple people trapped. Arriving crews worked for several minutes before they were able to free one of the trapped patients. That patient was transported in serious condition to the trauma center.

A second patient was transported minutes later with unknown injuries. Just before 11:00, a third patient was freed from a vehicle and transported in serious condition.

Centerville Road is currently closed for what is expected to be a lengthy investigation.

Update 11:20 – DSP issued the following statement.

“Delaware State Police are on the scene of a serious motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 10:19 a.m. this morning, October 29, 2021, on Centerville Road north of Boxwood Road

As a result of the crash, Centerville Road is closed with emergency response vehicles on scene. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes of travel. The road closure is anticipated to be lengthy, with no estimated time for a re-opening.”

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