The Delaware State Police have identified the mand who died in a crash on Sunday, August 11, 2019, at approximately 12:16 a.m. on Coastal Highway (SR 1) south of Church Street west of Rehoboth Beach, as Martir Santiago, 40 of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Original Post
The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a vehicle crash involving a Delaware State Trooper that occurred early this morning, according to Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz.
Bratz said the preliminary investigation has determined the crash occurred at approximately 12:17 a.m., Sunday, August 11, 2019, as a trooper in a fully marked 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle was traveling in the left lane northbound on Coastal Highway towards Church Street in Rehoboth Beach. The operator, a uniformed Trooper, was responding to a call for service. The police Tahoe was traveling with its lights and siren activated.
A 40-year-old man was attempting to cross the northbound lanes of Coastal Highway in the area of Church Street in a westward direction near the Turnstone Builders Office complex.
He entered Coastal Highway from the east edge of the roadway, crossing the shoulder and the right lane. As the man entered the left lane he was struck by the front center of the Tahoe, according to Bratz. The trooper, who was uninjured in the collision, came to a controlled stop in the right lane of Coastal Highway.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene by responding medics. Bratz said the man did not have a light, reflective clothing or was in a marked crosswalk.
The trooper, properly restrained at the time, was not injured in the collision. The 31-year-old trooper has been employed by the Delaware State Police for nine years and is assigned to Troop 7 patrol in Lewes. The trooper has been placed on administrative leave per Divisional Policy.
This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, said Bratz.
SR 1 Coastal Highway north of Church Street was closed in the area of the crash for approximately 3.5 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.
Breaking Report
Rehoboth Beach – Just after 12:15 Sunday morning, August 11, 2019, rescue crews from the Rehoboth Beach VFC responded to Coastal Hwy and Church Street for reports of a pedestrian struck.
Delaware State Police issued the following statement:
“Rehoboth Beach, Delaware – Delaware State Police are on the scene of a crash involving a pedestrian that occurred at approximately 12:17 a.m., Sunday, August 11, 2019, which has Coastal Highway (SR 1) northbound north of Church Street closed.
Motorists can expect delays in the area and are advised to seek alternate routes of travel. For information regarding traffic conditions and road closure.”