SOUTH BETHANY, DELAWARE (11/1/2015) A pedestrian was in critical condition after being struck by a car this morning on Coastal Highway (Route 1) south of South Bethany, the Delaware State police said. The driver was later charged with DUI.
Miguel Rivera Oropeza, 67, of Arlington, Virginia, was walking in the right northbound lane south of Assawoman Street when he was struck by a 2008 Cadillac DTS about 5:30 a.m.
Police said the driver of the car, Carl V. Roma, 57, of Endicott, New York, could not see Oropeza because he was not carrying a light as required by law nor wearing reflective clothing.
Oropeza was taken to Beebe Healthcare’s hospital in Lewes, then flown to Christiana Hospital in Stanton, where he was admitted.
Roma, who was not injured in the crash, was later charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and no proof of insurance. He was released on a traffic citation to appear in court later.
Police asked anyone who witnessed the accident to contact Master Cpl. J. Burns at 302-703-3266.
Northbound Route 1 was closed in the area about four hours as police investigated.
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