On May 28, 2023, at about 4:24 in the morning, Newark Police responded to Christina Parkway (SR 4), in the area of the Amtrak railroad bridge east of Elkton Road, for a report of a serious vehicle crash. Arriving officers located two vehicles in the roadway, each occupied once.
An investigation at the scene determined that a 2008 Toyota Tacoma was eastbound on Christina Parkway. A 2017 Ford Taurus was westbound on Christina Parkway. The vehicles collided head-on.
The driver of the Toyota suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to an area hospital.
The driver of the Ford, an Aberdeen, Maryland police officer operating an unmarked police vehicle on his way into work, was trapped in his vehicle. It took about 45 minutes for him to be extricated. He was transported to an area hospital by ambulance in critical condition.
The driver of the Toyota, Johnathan Hendricks, 24, of Middletown, was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol police said. He was released on his own recognizance for medical treatment.
Christina Parkway was closed for about four hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.
Newark Police were assisted at the scene by Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company, Christiana Fire Company, Delaware State Police Aviation Section and New Castle County EMS paramedics.
Officials said an investigation by the Newark Police Department Traffic Unit is still underway to determine the circumstances of the crash.