Delaware State Police are investigating a three-vehicle injury collision that occurred in the Newark area on Thursday morning, according to Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell.
Hatchell said on October 20, 2022, at approximately 11:35 a.m., a Tesla Model 3, operated by a 21-year-old Newark man was observed by a trooper traveling southbound on Interstate 95 south of the JFK Service Area at a high rate of speed. The trooper pulled out onto Interstate 95 southbound to initiate a traffic stop. Due to the Tesla’s speed, the trooper was unable to catch up to it.
The Tesla proceeded to exit onto Route 896 northbound from Interstate 95. Upon entering the left lane of Route 896, the Tesla made a left turn across the gravel median. The Tesla lost control and began to slide sideways into the southbound lanes of travel, and directly into the path of a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox that was traveling in the left lane of southbound Route 896. The front of the Chevrolet struck the passenger side of the Tesla. The Chevrolet was then pushed into the right lane of southbound Route 896, where it was struck by a 2018 Subaru Forester. The Tesla rotated counterclockwise in a southerly direction, coming to rest within the left lane of Route 896 southbound. The Chevrolet and Subaru came to rest within the right shoulder. Upon contact with the occupants of the Tesla, troopers detected a heavy odor of marijuana emanating from the interior of vehicle and located approximately 30 grams of suspected marijuana in plain view on the front passenger side floorboard said Hatchell.
The operator of the Tesla, who was not properly restrained, was transported to an area hospital for his injuries. At this time, impairment is suspected to be a factor in this collision said Hatchell. Results are pending the outcome of a toxicology examination.
Also in the Tesla was a 20-year-old male, who was not restrained in the front passenger seat. He was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The 19-year-old rear passenger of the Tesla, who was not properly restrained, was transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries
The operator of the Chevrolet, a 69-year-old female of Delaware, was properly restrained. The operator of the Subaru, a 53-year-old male of Pennsylvania, was properly restrained. Both operators were transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Route 896 southbound was closed from West Chestnut Hill Road to Interstate 95 for approximately 4 hours while the crash was investigated, and the roadway cleared.
Hatchell said the active investigation remains and charges will be forthcoming.
Initial repords from the scene indicated five people were injured in this accident, two of which were seriously injured.
The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues investigating this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal Breen by calling 302-365-8486.