Location: US Rt. 13 southbound at Killens Pond Road, 2 miles south of Felton, DE
Date of Occurrence: Sunday, October 31, 2010 at 8:12 p.m.
Operators/Vehicles:
Operator #1: Benjamin Rieger, 29, Harrington, DE
Vehicle #1: 2004 Chevrolet Silverado
Operator #2: Robert G. Brode, 27, Harrington, DE
Vehicle #2: 1997 Ford Explorer
Operator #3: Sharon N. Washington, 27, Seaford, DE
Vehicle #3: 1993 Cadillac Deville
Resume: The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating a three car collision in which two were killed in Felton yesterday evening.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:12 p.m. Sunday as Robert Brode, 27, was operating a 1997 Ford Explorer and was traveling northbound on US Rt. 13 in the left lane. A 2004 Chevrolet Silverado which was being operated by Benjamin Rieger, 29, approached Brode’s vehicle from behind and then attempted to pass on the left through the median. After traveling through the median, Rieger re-entered the left lane of northbound Rt. 13 where it then struck the driver’s door of the Ford Explorer. Rieger’s vehicle then traveled another 141 feet through the median while rotating in a counter-clockwise direction before entering the southbound lanes of Rt. 13. After entering the southbound lanes, the Silverado then struck and rolled up onto a 1993 Cadillac Deville which was being operated by Sharon N. Washington of Seaford, DE. Both vehicles then came to rest on the edge of the southbound lanes.
Benjamin L. Rieger and an 11 year old male, who was a passenger in Rieger’s vehicle, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies were turned over to the Delaware Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. Sharon Washington was transported from the scene to the Milford Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released for her injuries. Robert Brode was not injured.
At this point the crash is still under investigation. Benjamin Rieger was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. It is unknown if the 11 year old victim was wearing a seatbelt. It is also unknown if alcohol was a factor in the crash.
This is what we all deal with on a daily basis anymore.
ReplyDeletePeople are no longer taught how to drive like we were when we were teenagers.
We had drivers education IN school as an added class and were taught the right way to drive. Driving both defensively AND offensively.
Now, the kids for years have been forced to go to "driving schools" which could care less what you learn as long as they get their $'s!
Once again, it's all about the money and forget everything else, including everyone's safety!
I'd be willing to bet this Rieger guy got his license by going to a "driving school".
Hope Ms. Washington is okay in the end.
It's sad that some suffer due to the ignorance of others on the roads today.
This accident happened over 10 years ago this year 10/31/2010. I know for a fact that Robbie Brode caused the accident. A veteran of the same fire department personally called me and told me exactly how the accident happened. It was not done to kill Ben Rieger or Nathaniel Hughes but just horse playing by Robbie Brode because he did not like the fact that Ben Rieger was dressed up as a devil for Halloween!!! Both Ben and Nathan were wearing seat belts and there was no alcohol involved. I am the mother and grandmother of these two beautiful souls!!! May they rest in peace. I pray that someday Robbie will come forward and tell the truth! Amen.
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