Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate a fatal motor vehicle crash which has claimed the life of a 74-year-old Wilmington woman.
PIKE CREEK (DE): Police have identified the 74 year old woman who was killed while driving eastbound on New Linden Hill Road in a 2002 Toyota Corolla, when she entered the intersection at DE Rt. 7 (Limestone Road) and was struck by the right front of a 1995 Freightliner tractor-trailer. The tractor trailer was being operated by a 58-year-old Pennsylvania man, and was traveling in the right hand lane of southbound DE Rt. 7.
According to police spokesman, Jefferey R. Hale, the crash occurred on Tuesday at approximately 3:22 a.m. He said, after the impact, both vehicles traveled in a southerly direction with the Toyota coming to rest on the southbound shoulder and right hand lane, just south of the intersection.
The tractor-trailer however, traveled for a short distance over a concrete median before returning to the southbound lanes where it then overturned, spilling its load of chicken feed.
The 74-year-old operator of the Toyota, Kathleen P. Yearick, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was declared dead at the scene. It is still unknown if impairment on the part of the victim was a factor in the crash.
The male operator of the tractor-trailer, who was also properly restrained at the time of the crash, was treated at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics. Hale said, he was then transported to the Christiana Hospital where he was treated for his non-life threatening injuries. Impairment on the part of the tractor-trailer driver is not being considered as a factor in the crash.
The southbound lanes of DE Rt. 7 was closed for approximately 6 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.
Investigators say the crash remains under investigation and it is not known at this time which vehicle had the right of way at the intersection. they are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Master Corporal Joseph Aube at 302-365-8483. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline 1-800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us .
