Troopers Investigating a Crash with Several Motorcycles

Newark, DE. - The Delaware State Police continue to investigate a vehicle crash in which several people were injured that occurred late Friday night in Newark.

The preliminary investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 9:37 p.m., Friday, July 17, 2015, as Oliver Ngu, 56 of Hartford, Ct., was operating a 2015 Ford Edge eastbound on Chapman Road west of Christiana Road attempting to make a left turn into the parking lot of the Bay Bridge Suites Hotel and failed to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic in the westbound lane of Chapman Road. As Ngu began to travel across the westbound lane he drove directly into the path of a Harley-Davidson Soft tail traveling westbound operated by Robert L. Smith 45, of Wilmington. The front end of the motorcycle struck the right passenger side of the Ford Edge causing Smith to be ejected off of the motorcycle and into the westbound lane of the roadway. Smith’s motorcycle then struck another Harley-Davidson motorcycle traveling westbound operated by Bruce Lodgeman 38 of Garnett Valley, PA., which caused him to be ejected into the roadway. Lodgeman’s motorcycle then struck a 2008 Harley-Davidson operated by Matthew Brinton 37 of Wilmington who was also westbound which caused him to be ejected from the motorcycle along with his passenger, Kimberly Brinton 39, of Wilmington.

Oliver Ngu 56, of Hartford, Connecticut, was not injured and was cited for a vehicle turning left must yield right of way to oncoming traffic. Ngu was traveling with his son who was in the front passenger seat who was not injured and his daughter who was sitting in the right rear seat of the vehicle who was later taken to the Christiana Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Robert L. Smith 45 of Wilmington, operating 2014 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail motorcycle, who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was removed from the scene and transported to the Christiana Hospital Trauma Center where he was admitted with serious injuries. He is currently in ICU and is listed in stable condition.

Matthew S. Brinton 37 of Wilmington, operating 2008 Harley-Davidson FKC motorcycle who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was removed from the scene and transported to the Christiana Hospital Trauma Center where he was admitted with serious non-life threatening injuries.

Kimberly Brinton, a 39 year old female passenger, with Matthew Brinton was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. She suffered minor injuries which did not require any medical attention.

Bruce Lodgeman 38 of Garnett Valley Pennsylvania, operating a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, and suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police. The eastbound lanes of Chapman Road were closed for approximately 15 minutes and the westbound lane was closed for approximately one hour as the crash was investigated and cleared.