BEAR, DE — Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 17-year-old Newark resident late Sunday night after his car collided with a tractor-trailer turning through an intersection in Bear.
According to investigators, the crash occurred on December 7 at approximately 10:40 p.m., when a tractor-trailer pulling an unloaded car-hauler began a left turn from East Songsmith Drive onto southbound Bear Christiana Road. As the driver attempted the turn, the trailer remained in the northbound lane of the intersection.
At the same time, a Ford Focus was traveling northbound on Bear Christiana Road toward the intersection. The preliminary investigation indicates that the Focus continued forward and struck the side of the car-hauler trailer still positioned in the roadway. Troopers are continuing to examine the sequence of events and the factors that may have contributed to the collision.
The 17-year-old driver of the Ford Focus was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are withholding his name pending notification of family members. The tractor-trailer operator, a 43-year-old man from New Castle, was not injured.
The roadway remained closed for roughly three and a half hours as collision reconstruction specialists documented the scene and cleared the vehicles.
The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit is asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have information relevant to the investigation to contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki at 302-365-8417. Tips may also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
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