Delaware State Police
News Release

DSP News Release- Sunday, January 11, 2009- DelDOT Worker Injured After Driver Plows Through Closed Roadway

Location of Incident:  Northbound Route 13 at the South Market Street Bridge

Date and Time of Occurrence:  Sunday, January 11, 2009, 9:31 a.m.

Resume:   Earlier this morning, Troopers responded to the area of northbound Route 13 at the South Market Street Bridge for two separate crashes which were attributed to icy conditions. 

For the safety of the motoring public, Troopers elected to close down the roadway and they requested the bridge be treated by Del DOT personnel.  Road crews arrived and shut the street down.  Traffic cones and flares were set up serving as a notice to drivers that the road ahead was closed.  DelDOT arrow boards were also set up prior to the road closure. 

At about 9:30 a.m., a 2005 Dodge Durango (operated by Lynn Scannelli, 59, of Middletown) was traveling northbound on Route 13 and plowed through the traffic cones and road flares.  The Dodge continued northbound and through a second set of flares and cones.   Unfortunately, the Dodge then struck a 30-year-old DelDOT worker standing outside of his vehicle. 

The Dodge still continued northbound at which time it struck a stationary DelDOT truck. Finally, the Dodge Durango came to a stop on the right shoulder.

The injured DelDOT worker was transported from the scene to Christiana Hospital where he was treated for a broken leg.

Lynn Scannelli was charged with Failure to Obey Authorized Person Directing Traffic, Inattentive Driving, Careless Driving, and No Proof of Insurance.  She will also be sent for a driver’s re-examination with the Division of Motor Vehicle. 

The roadway was shut down for approximately three hours. 

Questions regarding the identity of the injured DelDOT should be directed to DelDOT.