The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred Thursday afternoon in Newark that left one man dead.
On September 21, 2023, at approximately 4:51 p.m., a gold 2008 Honda Accord was traveling in what police say was an aggressive manner southbound on Otts Chapel Road passing Welsh Tract Road in Newark.
Officials said the Honda attempted to pass a vehicle by traveling on the right shoulder and in doing so, departed the paved surface and entered into the grassy area west of the roadway. The Honda spun as it reentered the roadway and traveled across the southbound lane into the northbound lane, which put it into the path of a black 2014 Chevrolet Silverado traveling northbound on Otts Chapel Road.
The Chevrolet was unable to avoid impact and struck the passenger side of the Honda. The Chevrolet spun in the roadway and came to rest partially off the east edge of the roadway. The Honda came to rest on private property.
The driver of the Honda, a 66-year-old Newark man was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified.
The driver of the Chevrolet, a 55-year-old man from Fallston, Maryland, was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
The roadway was closed for approximately 3.5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
On Thursday afternoon, just after 4:50, a serious motor vehicle crash occurred on Otts Chapel Road, located just south of Welsh Tract Road in Newark. This incident prompted the response of rescue crews from various agencies.
The responding agencies included Aetna Hose, Hook, and Ladder, New Castle County Paramedics, and Delaware State Police Aviation.
Upon arrival at the scene, emergency personnel found two vehicles, a pickup truck, and a sedan, both had sustained heavy damage in the collision. The driver of the sedan was reported to be trapped inside their vehicle.
Initial reports from the scene indicated that the driver of the sedan succumbed to their injuries while en route to the hospital via ambulance. The driver of the pickup truck was transported to the trauma center with injuries of undetermined severity.
Otts Chapel Road remained closed for several hours Thursday as authorities worked to piece together the sequence of events leading to the collision.
The investigation into the crash is being conducted by Delaware State Police (DSP).
This story will be updated when DSP releases additional details.