DSP News Release: Thursday, February 12, 2009- Multi Vehicle Crash Investigated on Route 40

Location of Incident:  Route 40 westbound, west of the development of Becks Woods

Date and Time of Occurrence: Thursday, February 12, 2009, at approximately 6:29 p.m.

Resume: Earlier this evening, Troopers responded to Route 40 westbound, west of the development of Becks Woods for a multi vehicle Crash.

A 2005 Ford Focus (operated by Cynthia Rogers, 34, of New Castle) was stopped at a red light on Route 40 in the right lane. Stopped behind the Ford was a 2001 Dodge Stratus (operated by Bryan Lacus, 17, of New Castle).  Stopped behind the Dodge was a 1994 Toyota Camry (operated by Winton Tompkins, 21, of Newark).  Last in line behind the Toyota was a 2007 Suzuki ZR8 motorcycle (operated by Joel Steinbrunner, 30, of Bear). 

A 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue (operated by Joseph Evans, 85, of Townsend) was traveling Route 40 westbound approaching the motorcycle.  The Olds did not stop in time and rear ended the bike. This impact forced the motorcycle out of the lane of travel.  The Olds continued forward and rear ended the Toyota.  The Toyota was forced into the back of the Dodge. And finally, the Dodge was forced into the rear o the Ford. 

Mr. Steinbrunner, Mr. Tompkins, Mr. Lucas and Mr. Evans all sustained non-life threatening injuries and were treated at Christiana Hospital. 

Joseph Evans was cited for Inattentive Driving.

Traffic was impacted in the area for approximately one-and-a-half hours.