Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred Friday afternoon in the New Castle area.
Officials said on December 16, 2022, at approximately 12:15 p.m., a 2017 Subaru BRZ was traveling southbound on East Basin Road in the area of William Penn High School at an apparent high rate of speed. For unknown reasons, the Subaru left the roadway south of Stockton Drive and entered into the grass median, where it began sliding sideways as it entered into the northbound lanes of East Basin Road.
At the time, a 2016 Ford F-150 was traveling northbound on East Basin Road in the left lane of two northbound lanes of travel and the front of the Subaru struck the left rear tire of the Ford. The Subaru continued traveling in the left northbound lane of East Basin Road and the front of a 2020 BMW X5 struck the passenger side of the Subaru. After the vehicles separated, a 2022 Hyundai Sonata traveling northbound in the right lane of East Basin Road northbound sideswiped the Subaru with its passenger side.
The operator of the Subaru, a 36-year-old male Newark man who was properly restrained was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification of the victim is pending notification to the next of kin. Excessive speed appears to be a factor at this time police said Saturday.
The 60-year-old male operator of the BMW who was properly restrained was transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
The 47-year-old male operator of the Ford and 38-year-old male operator of the Hyundai who were both wearing their seatbelts were not injured in the crash.
East Basin Road was closed between Stockton Drive and Frenchtown Road (Route 273) for approximately 3 hours while the crash was investigated, and the roadway cleared.