A 28-year-old Newark man was killed after his car crashed into a tractor-trailer that Delaware State Police said was illegally parked along Route 40 near New Castle early Wednesday.
The man has not been identified, pending notification of the next of kin, said Senior Cpl. Leonard DeMalto, a police spokesperson.
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The man was traveling eastbound on Pulaski Highway (Route 40) approaching the intersection with Wilton Boulevard just before 1:30 a.m. when for unknown reasons his 2008 Saturn Aura drifted into the roadway’s right shoulder.
As he drove onto the shoulder, DeMalto said the Saturn struck an unoccupied 2001 Kentworth tractor-trailer that was illegally parked there. The Saturn overturned before coming to a rest in a tree line.
The man was not properly restrained, DeMalto said, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The tractor-trailer driver was cited for leaving an unattended motor vehicle on the shoulder without placing hazard triangles.
No other vehicles were involved in this incident and no other injuries were reported. Pulaski Highway was closed for about four hours while the collision was investigated and cleared.
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“The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident,” DeMalto said. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Sergeant J. Jefferson by calling (302) 365-8484. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.
Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.
