Troopers Investigating A Fatal Crash, Laurel

Location: Concord Road (SR20) east of Pepper Road, Laurel, DE

Date of Occurrence: Monday August 27, 2012 at approximately 7:31 a.m.

Operator and Vehicle Information:

Operator #1: Ceprano L. Briddell, 29, Seaford, DE
Vehicle #1: 1995 Mazda 626

Operator #2: Meredith L. Phillips-Woodard, 36, Georgetown, DE
Vehicle #2: 2009 Toyota Sienna

Resume:
Laurel, DE- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a two car crash with a fatality that occurred on Concord Road (SR20) east of Laurel.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:31 a.m. this morning as Ceprano L. Briddell was operating a 1995 Mazda 626 eastbound on Concord Road approaching a moderate curve near Pepper Road. Meredith Phillips-Woodard was operating a 2009 Toyota Sienna traveling westbound on Concord Road approaching the same curve. Briddell negotiated the curve; however, was unable to maintain his lane and entered into the westbound lane of travel. He attempted to regain control of the vehicle by swerving hard to the right but the over-correction forced the Mazda to swerve back into the westbound lane. Upon seeing the car out of control, Phillips-Woodard attempted to slow down and move onto the westbound shoulder of Concord Road where she struck the Mazda on the driver’s side door, pinning Briddell in the vehicle.

Ceprano L. Briddell, who was properly restrained, was extricated from the vehicle and transported by EMS to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Meredith L. Phillips-Woodard, who was properly restrained, was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Concord Road in the area of Pepper Road was closed for approximately three and a half hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.