One Critically Injured In Crash On Costal Highway

Location: Costal Highway (St. Rt. 1), north of Dartmouth Road, Lewes, DE

Date of Occurrence: Friday, October 25, 2013, at 4:15 p.m.

Vehicles and Occupants:
Driver 1: Kevin Smith, 52, of Haberson, DE (properly restrained, not injured)
Vehicle: 2004 Buick Rendezvous

Driver 2: Stanley Mutter, 51, of Milford, DE (properly restrained, admitted to Christiana Hospital in critical condition)
Vehicle 2: 1997 Saturn SL

Driver 3: Lorena Vanegas, 46, of Georgetown, DE (properly restrained, treated for minor injuries at Beebe Hospital and released)
Vehicle 3: 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Passenger: Reyna Gil-Vanegas, 11, of Georgetown, DE (properly restrained, treated for minor injuries at Beebe Hospital and released)

Resume:
Lewes- A crash on Costal Highway (St. Rt. 1) north of Dartmouth Road left one critically injured yesterday.

The crash occurred at 4:15 p.m. as Kevin Smith, 52, of Haberson, traveled south on Costal Highway in a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. For an undetermined reason, the vehicle crossed the median and entered the northbound lanes, striking a 1997 Saturn SL that was merging onto Costal Highway from Dartmouth Road.

Immediately after the vehicles collided the Saturn was struck by a northbound 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that had been traveling behind the Saturn.

Smith was not injured, but was transported to Beebe Hospital and admitted for treatment of a medical condition that was not caused by the crash.

The driver of the Saturn, Stanley Mutter, 51, of Milford, was transported by ambulance to Beebe Hospital, and then flown to Christiana Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Lorena Vanegas, 46, of Georgetown, and her passenger, Reyna Gil-Vanegas, 11, were both transported by ambulance to Beebe Hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries and released.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing its investigation into this crash, and no charges have been filed. The northbound lanes of Costal Highway were closed for approximately two-and-a-half hours as Troopers investigated and cleared the crash.