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Townsend – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate a multi-fatal crash involving three vehicles that occurred yesterday afternoon, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.

Jaffe said the initial investigation has determined that on Friday, July 6, 2018, 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. 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 Route 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 a 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. The impact caused both vehicles to be displaced off the edge of the roadway and into a ditch.

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 properly restrained and it is unknown if impairment is a factor on his behalf, said Jaffe. 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.

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.

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, were pronounced deceased at the scene. 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 serious 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. All names are being withheld at this time pending notification of next of kin and family members.

Orginal Report

Just after 3:30 on Friday, July 6, a work truck traveling southbound on Route 1, in the area of Pine Tree Road, crossed over into the northbound lanes into oncoming traffic, according to police.

As it crossed over, the truck was struck by a minivan carrying six members of a New Jersey Family. As a result of the impact, the family was trapped in the vehicle with serious injuries. Upon their arrival, rescue crews began cutting away pieces of the minivan to get the patients out.

As crews worked to free the patients, Trooper 4 (DSP New Castle County Aviation), Trooper 2 (DSP Sussex County Aviation) and Life Net (Christiana Hospital Aviation) helicopters were dispatched to the scene to transport the injured.

Trooper 4, first to arrive, transported one of the patients to the trauma center in Stanton. While en route to the hospital the on-scene commander requested an ETA for Trooper 2’s arrival from Sussex County. Trooper 4 advised that they would drop the first patient at the trauma center and return for a second patient.

While Trooper 4 was returning to the scene Life Net transported the second patient to the trauma center. Within minutes Trooper 4 was ready to respond back to the scene but was recalled. Trooper 2 was also recalled.

As a result of the accident, five members of the New Jersey Family succumbed to their injuries, one parent, and four children. A sixth person in the minivan, a woman, is reportedly in the hospital suffering from traumatic injuries.

Two people from the truck and one person from a third vehicle were transported with non-life-threatening injuries.

We are working to gather more information and will update the story as the information becomes available.

Breaking Report

Update: Early reports from the scene indicate that at least five teens have been killed in this accident.

Townsend – Rescue from are currently on scene at Route 1 NB near Pine Tree Road for a head-on collision.

Early reports from the scene indicate that multiple patients are injured.

Trooper 4 (Delaware State Police Aviation) and Life Net (Christiana Hospital Helicopter) are en route to the scene.

Route 1 NB is completely shut down. Southbound lanes are restricted.

Developing