Fatal Crash Involving A School Bus - Updated Information

Location: RT 72 and Reybold Road, Bear, New Castle County, DE

Date of Occurrence: May 21, 2010 2:20 p.m.

Operators and Vehicles Involved:

Op 1 – Juan D. Quintero, 25, Last known residence believed to be the Newark, DE area
Veh 1 – 1993 Ford Explorer
Op 2 – Joseph S. Stucky, 28, New Castle, DE
Veh 2 – 2001 International school bus
Op 3 – Zachary C. Yates, 33, Middletown, DE
Veh 3 – 2006 Ford F-250 pickup truck

Resume:

Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal crash involving a school that killed one operator.

The crash occurred yesterday afternoon at 2:20 p.m. when a Ford Explorer operated by Quintero was traveling northbound on Rt 72 south of Reybold Road. Without warning the Explorer drifted onto the shoulder and then veered into the southbound lane heading for a head-on collision with a school bus. Stucky was operating the school bus steered into the northbound lane to avoid the impact. The Explorer struck the right side and the right rear of the school bus with the explorer’s right side. After striking the school bus the Explore began to overturn on its sides and landed on a Ford pickup truck, which was traveling behind the school bus.

As a result of the second collision the driver of the pickup truck, Yates, was taken to Christiana Hospital where he later died of his injuries.

Quintero was taken to Christiana Hospital and was admitted for injuries he received in the crash.

Eight of the 29 school children on the bus were taken to Christiana Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries. The children were coming from Gauger Middle School.

The Roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours while troopers investigated and cleared the crash scene.

Warrants are on file pending Quintero’s release from the hospital for the following charges: Vehicular Homicide, 8 counts of Vehicular Assault and DUI.

Quintero and Stucky were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash and Yates was not.