The driver-side tires of the Ford struck a raised concrete curb which caused the Ford to roll over and go airborne into a heavily wooded area where it eventually came to rest on all four tires before catching on fire.
NEW CASTLE, DE (DNTV): Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal single motor vehicle collision that occurred in the New Castle area Tuesday night that shut down Federal School Lane for several hours.
Police say the crash occurred on Tuesday March 2, 2023, at approximately 9:17 p.m., as a 2005 Ford Mustang was traveling northbound on Route 9 approaching Federal School Lane.
An 18-year-old male operator from New Castle, lost control of the vehicle police said, and it began to rotate clockwise skidding in a northeasterly direction across the southbound lane, back across the northbound lane, and then across the right shoulder.
That’s when police said the driver-side tires of the Ford struck a raised concrete curb located at the entrance to a business on the 1300 block of River Road. Investigators say, the curb strike caused the Ford to roll over and go airborne into a heavily wooded area where it eventually came to rest on all four tires before catching on fire.
The front-seat passenger who was wearing his seatbelt was able to exit the vehicle and was not injured during the crash. The operator who was not properly restrained was unsuccessful at exiting the vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was later identified as 18-Year-Old Jose Cruz-Castrejon, of New Castle, Delaware.
Route 9 between Hamburg Road and Federal School Lane was closed for approximately 4 hours while the crash was investigated, and the roadway was cleared.
The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this collision. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal J. Breen by calling 302-365-8486. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need 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 at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov
