Middletown- Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred Friday morning on northbound Route 1 at Pole Bridge Road, according to Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell.
Hatchell said on Friday, August 06, 2021, at approximately 2:18 a.m., a gray 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, operator undetermined at this time, was traveling northbound on Route 1. For reasons unknown the Pathfinder entered the grass median and struck the cable barrier. It then began traveling eastbound across the northbound lanes of Route 1 and up a grass embankment until reentering the roadway a second time.
The Pathfinder then traveled westbound across the northbound lanes of Route 1 and directly into the path of a 2018 Freightliner tractor-trailer, operated by a 50-year-old man. After the collision, the Pathfinder became disabled in the roadway.
As this was occurring a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, operated by a 75-year-old woman, was traveling northbound on Route 1. The Malibu was unable to avoid the crash and struck the Pathfinder. As a result of the collision the Malibu came to a rest in the center grass median and the Pathfinder came to a rest facing in a northeast direction still in the roadway. A 2012 Subaru Outback, operated by a 79-year-old woman, was unable to avoid colliding with the Pathfinder, striking the rear right corner.
There were two occupants, a 54-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man inside of the Pathfinder. Both occupants were not properly restrained, and both were located outside of the vehicle prior to police arrival. The female occupant of the Pathfinder was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification is pending notification to the next of kin. The male occupant was transported to Christiana Hospital in critical condition.
The operator of the Malibu was wearing her seatbelt and her airbags deployed. She was treated and released from Christiana Hospital after being treated for minor injuries.
The operator of the Outback was wearing her seatbelt and her airbags deployed. She was transported to Christiana Hospital in critical condition.
Impairment on the part of the occupants of Pathfinder is pending at this time said Hatchell. Due to both occupants being located outside of the vehicle prior to police arrival it is unknown who the operator was, added Hatchell.
Traffic traveling northbound on SR 1 was diverted onto Exit 142 and re-entered the highway north of the collision scene.
Original Story
At approximately 2:18 am, New Castle County Paramedics (NCCEMS), Odessa Fire Company, Port Penn Fire Company, Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown, Delaware City Fire Company, and Delaware State Police Aviation were dispatched to the area of Route 1 Northbound at Pole Bridge Road, according to NCCEMS Assistant PIO Oliver Kocher.
Kocher said they responded for reports of a motor vehicle collision with vehicle a overturned. Responding units arrived and confirmed one patient trapped and one patient ejected.
Upon their arrival medics found three patients:
A 79-year-old female with injuries to her torso and lower extremities, in care of Townsend Fire Company EMTs. The patient was treated on scene and transported to Christiana Hospital via Odessa Fire Company ambulance, accompanied by New Castle County Paramedics. The patient was in serious condition at the time of transport.
A 50-year-old male with head and chest injuries in care of Volunteer Hose Company EMTs. The patient was treated on scene and transported to Christiana Hospital via Volunteer Hose Company ambulance, accompanied by New Castle County Paramedics. The patient was in critical condition at the time of transport
An unknown age female was pronounced dead at the scene, said Kocher.
