The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate a multi-fatal crash involving three vehicles that occurred yesterday afternoon.
According to a press release issues by Delaware officials, the initial investigation has determined that on Friday, at approximately 3:47 p.m., a 2007 Ford F-350 was traveling southbound, in the left lane on State Route 1 Highway (Rt. 1) in the vicinity of Noxontown Road.
Authorities say a 2002 Mercury Sable was traveling northbound on Rt. 1 just north of Pine Tree Road, and a 1998 Toyota Sienna was traveling a short distance behind the Sable. For unknown reasons, the F-350 failed to remain in the southbound lanes of travel and exited the roadway, crossing over the grassy median and into the northbound lanes of travel on Rt. 1.
The front driver’s side of the F-350 struck the left rear side of the Sable, causing the Sable to spin out of control and come to rest in an embankment. The F-350 continued out of control southbound in the northbound lanes, when the front of the Sienna struck the passengers side of the F-350 according to authorities.
The impact caused both vehicles to be displaced off the edge of the roadway and into a ditch.
Police say the operator of the F-350, a 44-year-old male from East New Market, MD, was transported to a local area hospital where he was treated and released with non-life threatening injuries. He was restrained correctly, and it is unknown if the impairment is a factor on his behalf.
His passenger, a 30-year-old male from Hurlock, MD, was properly restrained and was also transported to a local area hospital where he was treated and released with non-life threatening injuries police said.
The operator of the Sable, a 24-year-old male from Bethlehem PA, was transported to a local area hospital where he was treated and released with non-life threatening injuries. He was properly restrained and impairment does not appear to be a factor on his behalf according to police.
Police say the operator of the Sienna, a 61-year-old male from Teaneck, NJ, was properly restrained and pronounced deceased at the scene. Also in the vehicle were his four daughters, ages 20, 17, and two 13-year-olds, who were not properly restrained and pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police say his 53-year-old wife, was properly restrained in the front passenger seat and was transported to a local area hospital where she was admitted with severe injuries.
Southbound State Route 1 Highway in the area of Pine Tree Road was closed for approximately 90 minutes, and the northbound lanes were closed for approximately 5 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.
The crash continues to remain under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.
Police withheld all names at this time pending notification of next of kin and family members.