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WILMINGTON, DELAWARE (7/23/2015) A 35-year-old man killed in a crash on I-495 that snarled traffic for hours this morning has been identified by Delaware State Police. Four other people were hurt, including one seriously injured.
Wilbert O. Mable, of Wilmington, was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu in the center lane of northbound I-495 approaching U.S. 13 just after 7 a.m. when for unknown reason he swerved to the left, crossed into the median, struck a berm and became airborne, with the car overturning in the air as it entered the southbound lanes of the interstate.
The Malibu landed upside down on the top front of a 2012 Chrysler 200 that was southbound on I-495, police said.
Both vehicles came to a stop in the southbound lanes just south of the U.S. 13 overpass.
Mable was trapped in his car and pronounced dead at the scene. Police said he was wearing a seat belt.
An autopsy was planned.
The driver of the Chrysler was identified as Michelle P. Nichols, 29, of Newark. She and three children in the rear seat of her car were treated by paramedics and then taken by ambulance to Christiana Hospital, police said. All four were wearing seat belts.
An 8-year-old boy was later transferred to Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Rockland, where he was admitted with serious injuries, police said.
Nichols was admitted to Christiana for treatment of injuries not life-threatening.
A 6-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy were treated at Christiana for minor injuries.
Police said they are still investigating but no charges will be filed.
The southbound lanes were closed for a time at Terminal Avenue, with hundred of vehicles stuck on the highway approaching the accident scene. Later, traffic was funneled to a single lane exiting at U.S. 13 until lanes were reopened about 11 a.m.
Northbound lanes of I-495 remained open with some rubbernecking slowdown at the accident scene.
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