Seven Injured In Crash Involving Bus

Location: Westbound Naaman’s Road at I-95, Claymont, DE

Date of Occurrence: Monday, January 31, 2011 at 12:35 p.m.

Operators/Vehicles:

Operator 1: Francis T. Charles, 48, Wilmington, DE

Vehicle 1: 2008 Gillig Bus owned by DART

Operator 2: Brian P. Hija, 34, Coatesville, PA

Vehicle 2: 2002 Nissan Pathfinder

Resume:   

Claymont- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a two vehicle crash in which seven people were injured that occurred early this afternoon in Claymont.

The accident occurred at approximately 12:35 p.m. as Francis T. Charles, 48, of Wilmington, DE, was operating a 2008 Gillig bus owned by DART and was traveling westbound on Naaman’s Road. As Charles entered the intersection for the ramp to I-95 northbound, he struck a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder that was being operated by Brian Hija, 34, of Coatesville, PA, and which was attempting to make a left hand turn from eastbound Naaman’s Road onto the I-95 northbound ramp.

Francis Charles and three passengers on the DART bus were all transported from the scene by EMS to the Christiana Hospital where they were treated for non life threatening injuries. Three passengers in the Pathfinder were also transported to the Christiana Hospital for treatment for their injuries which are also considered to be non-life threatening. Brian Hija, who was not injured, was cited by troopers for failure to yield the right of way. Westbound Naaman’s Road as well as one lane of eastbound Naaman’s Road was closed for several hours as the crash was cleared. It has since been re-opened.