MIDDLETOWN, DELAWARE (12/30/2015) One man was in critical condition and another in serious condition after a crash west of Middletown involving a car and tractor-trailer, authorities said.
The accident happened about 8:35 p.m. Tuesday at Middletown Warwick Road (U.S. 301) and Warwick Road (Route 299).
It took firefighters from Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown about 15 minutes to free the driver and passenger of the car from the wreckage, said Sgt. Abigail E. Haas of New Castle County paramedics.
Both were taken by ambulance to Christiana Hospital in Stanton.
Haas said the driver, identified by police as Arturo Anael Felipe-Jimenez, 23 of Georgetown, was treated for possible head and internal injuries and was in critical condition.
The passenger, believed to be in his 30s, was treated for possible head, internal and upper extremity injuries. He was in serious condition.
Police said Felipe-Jimenez was driving east on Warwick Road in a 2001 Ford Mustang and failed to remain stopped for the stop sign at U.S. 301 and pulled out in front of the tractor-trailer, a 2008 Freightliner driven by Shawn Thomas, 32, of Silver Spring, Maryland.
The truck hit the driver’s side of the Mustang in the intersection and continued south and off the east side of U.S. 301, striking a fence line and stopping on private property, police said.
Thomas was wearing a seat belt and wasn’t hurt.
Police said Felipe-Jimenez also was wearing a seat belt. He was cited by police with failing to remain stopped and driving without a valid license.
Odessa Fire Company also responded.