Felton- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian that occurred early this morning east of Felton.
The initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 1:41 a.m. this morning, Saturday, December 3, 2016, as Christopher Thompson, 32, of Coatesville, PA, was operating a 2006 Dodge 3500 pick up truck, which was pulling a 30 foot enclosed box trailer, and was traveling on eastbound SR 12 (Midstate Road) east of Chimney Hill Road, Felton. Due to a mechanical problem with the trailer, Thompson had pulled onto the right hand shoulder of the roadway; however, a portion of the trailer remained in the eastbound lane of travel. Thompson then placed a floor jack under the driver’s side of the enclosed box trailer’s tires, and as he was standing in the eastbound lane of the roadway, he was struck by the right front bumper of a fully marked 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe, which was being operated by an off-duty 47 year old male police officer from the Harrington Police Department. Thompson was thrown onto the hood and windshield of the Tahoe before landing in the eastbound lane of travel where he came to rest.
Christopher Thompson, who was dressed in all dark clothing at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither alcohol nor drugs use on the part of Thompson appear to be a factor in this crash.
The male operator of the Tahoe, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was not injured. Alcohol and drug use on the part of the operator is not being considered as a factor in the crash. Excessive speed is also not being considered as a factor. The name of the Harrington Police officer is being withheld but will be released at a later date.
A female passenger, who was seated in the rear passenger seat of the Dodge, was not injured in the crash.
Inquiries of the Harrington Police Department can be made by calling 302-398-4493.
Midstate Road was closed for approximately five hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.
9 comments:
That part of the road is straight. The officer should have slowed down and moved over.
The officer should have slowed down and moved over.
December 3, 2016 at 9:48 AM
That is exactly what I was going to say. Good example of what I have earlier, amend the move over/slow down law to move over/slow down for anyone on the shoulder.
You would think the cop would have stopped to make sure they were ok since he was in his police vehicle. Im sure they had their flashers on. I would assume the female passenger in the back of the truck was a child and probably his daughter. What a horrible thing to have to see.
Approximately 1:41 AM, dark, victim's trailer partially in a lane of travel, victim wearing dark clothing was standing in the lane of travel. Would any motor vehicle operator, whether civilian, or on or off-duty police officer have been able to avoid this tragic collision?
"I'm sure they had their flashers on". Were you there?
SURE: certain, positive, convinced, confident, definite, assured, satisfied
Regardless, two families lives are forever changed.
What I am "SURE" of is the accident should have never happened! The Police Officer should have slowed down and got over. If they had we wouldn't be leaving comments today...
If we don't slow down and change lanes for a police vehicle pulled over, we are ticketed and fined.
Goose/ Gander?
The road has no lights.....total darkness....Slow down? Really? same thing might have hapened to you if you were the driver.
Cops do no wrong huh? I guess the cop didn't see the lights on or used his head lights and that's Fina as well. Coos never assist stranded motorists unless they look suspicious. Any cop who doesn't assist any stranded or broke down motorists should be fired. It's their damn job to do so. Exactly a proven point to why police aren't there for the people.
No accident should ever happen, that is exactly why they are referred to as accidents. Cop haters without a clue!
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