NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE (11/8/2015) A driver was charged with DUI after a crash on U.S. 40 at Route 1 left one person dead and another critically injured west of New Castle, the Delaware State Police said this morning.
The accident was reported at 10:22 p.m. Saturday at the U.S. 40 on-ramp for northbound Route 1.
An eastbound 2005 Ford Expedition SUV struck the side of a westbound 2004 Pontiac Grand Am that was making a left turn onto the northbound Route 1 on-ramp. Police said the traffic signal had changed and the Pontiac had the green light.
Phyllis Kessler, 69, of Bear, a passenger in the Pontiac, was pronounced dead after being taken to Christiana Hospital. She had been trapped in the car about 15 minutes before being freed by firefighters, said Cpl. Abigail E. Haas of New Castle County paramedics.
Melvin Kessler, 76 of Bear, the driver of the Pontiac, was taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition, police said.
Both were initially treated by paramedics at the scene. He suffered possible back and internal injuries, said Haas.
The driver of the SUV, Cristobal Guzman-Martinez, 30, of Wilmington, was not injured. Police said he wasn’t properly restrained.
He was charged with second-degree vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular assault, driving under the influence, driving without a valid license and no proof of insurance.
The intersection was closed about four hours as police investigated and the wreckage was cleared.
Christiana, Mill Creek, Wilmington Manor and Volunteer Hose fire companies responded.