Smyrna Man Dies In Fatal Vehicle Crash

Location: US Rt. 13 (DuPont Parkway) northbound at Paddock Road, Smyrna, DE

Date of Occurrence: Friday, August 19, 2011 at 1:45 a.m.

Operators/Vehicles:

-Operator #1: Cody Campbell, 30, Trout Run, PA
-Vehicle #1: 1999 Peterbilt Tractor and Trailer

-Operator #2: James D. Sommer, 23, Townsend, DE
-Vehicle #2: 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Victim: Brett A. Ellis, 22, Smyrna, DE (front seat passenger)

Resume:
Smyrna- The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a two vehicle fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred early this morning.

The accident happened at approximately 1:45 a.m. as Cody Campbell was operating a 1999 Peterbilt tractor and trailer and was traveling northbound on US Rt. 13 in the right hand lane approaching the intersection of Paddock Road. As Campbell’s vehicle entered the intersection, it struck the right hand side of a 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass that was attempting to make a left hand turn from southbound Rt. 13 onto eastbound Paddock Road, and which was being operated by James D. Sommer. The front seat passenger of the Oldsmobile, Brett A. Ellis, 22, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was turned over to the medical examiner’s office where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. James Sommer was transported from the scene by EMS to the Kent General Hospital in Dover where he was admitted with multiple injuries. His condition is unknown at this time. Cody Campbell was not injured.

Alcohol consumption on the part of James Sommer is being considered as a factor in this crash. Seatbelts were worn by all three persons involved in the collision. The northbound lanes of US Rt. 13 were closed for approximately 5 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

This collision remains under investigation at this time.