Three Injured In Crash Involving Police Vehicle

Location: Southbound US Rt. 113 at Parker Road, 1 mile south of Frankford, DE

Date and Time of Occurrence: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 5:27 p.m.

Operators and Vehicles:

Operator #1: 36 year old Delaware State Trooper assigned to Troop 4, Georgetown
Vehicle #1: 2011 Ford Crown Victoria (unmarked and equipped with emergency lights)

Operator #2: Tansheika R. Smith, 29, Seaford, DE
Vehicle #2: 2006 Dodge Stratus

Other Injured: 38 year old Delaware State Trooper assigned to Troop 4, Georgetown

Resume:
Frankford, DE- The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a two vehicle crash in which three people were injured that occurred late yesterday afternoon.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:27 p.m. as two Delaware State Troopers traveling in an unmarked 2011 Ford Crown Victoria patrol vehicle, had responded to the area of US Rt. 113 and Parker Road to assist a third Trooper who was investigating an accident that had occurred earlier. The assisting Troopers had parked their vehicle in the center grass median as they assisted with the investigation, however, moved the vehicle into the left hand southbound lane of US Rt. 113 in order to help with traffic control. As the 36 year old Trooper backed the vehicle into the left hand lane, the 38 year old Trooper was standing to the rear of the patrol vehicle directing traffic around it. Tansheika Smith, 29, who was operating a 2006 Dodge Stratus and was traveling in the southbound left hand lane of US Rt. 113 approaching the crash scene, failed to see the patrol car and struck the rear of it. The 38 year old Trooper who was directing traffic was also struck.

Tansheika Smith as well as the two troopers were all removed from the scene by EMS and were transported to the Beebe Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released with minor injuries.

Southbound US Rt. 113 was closed for approximately 2.5 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.