State of Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Division of State Police

Superintendent Thomas F. Mac Leish

DSP News Release: Thursday, April 16, 2009- Five Vehicle A.M. Crash Snarls Route 13 Traffic

Location of Incident: Northbound Route 13 at Stahl Avenue, New Castle, Delaware, New Castle County

Date and Time of Occurrence: Thursday, April 16, 2009, at approximately 8:57 a.m.

Resume: Shortly before 9:00 a.m. this morning, Troopers responded to the area of Route 13 northbound at Stahl Avenue for the report of a five vehicle crash.

The vehicles involved were in the following order in the right center lane of Route 13 northbound:

1. 2000 Honda Accord- operated by Nicole Woodie, 34, of New Castle, Delaware
2. 2004 Ford F250- operated by John Edwards, 38, of Viola, Delaware
3. 2002 Ford Ranger- operated by Brian Breyerbiehl, 39, of Middletown, Delaware
4. 2007 Pontiac Vibe- operated by Ralph Hopkins, 56, of Middletown, Delaware
5. 2003 Freightliner Tractor-Trailer- operated by William Ratliff, 31, of Harrisonburg, Virginia

In the case, the first four vehicles were stopped.  The Freightliner rig approached the Pontiac from behind and rear ended same forcing the Pontiac underneath the Ford Ranger.  The Ranger was forced into the rear of the Ford F250. The F250 was forced into the rear of the Honda. 

Mr. Hopkins was transported from the scene to Christiana where he was treated and released with non-life threatening injuries. 

Mr. Ratliff was cited with Inattentive Driving.

Traffic was impacted for over an hour as this crash was investigated and the Ranger and Vibe were towed from the scene. 

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