The Delaware State Police is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred Sunday night in Townsend.
Officials said on February 8, 2026, at approximately 11:40 p.m., troopers responded to the intersection of Dupont Parkway and Summit Bridge Road for a reported crash. The preliminary investigation showed that a Nissan Altima was traveling in the right lane of southbound Dupont Parkway, approaching Summit Bridge Road. At the same time, a Toyota Sienna was traveling in the left turn lane of northbound Dupont Parkway, preparing to turn left onto Summit Bridge Road. For reasons currently being investigated, the Toyota turned left, and the front of the Nissan crashed into the front of the Toyota.
The front passenger of the Toyota, 69-year-old Laura Thomas, of Magnolia, Delaware, was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The driver of the Toyota, a 43-year-old woman from Dover, Delaware, and the three remaining passengers were all taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Nissan, a 50-year-old man from Townsend, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.
The roadway was closed for approximately four hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
