Delaware State Police
News Release

Afternoon Crash Resulted after Vehicle Rear Ends Police Cruiser

Released Thursday, January 29, 2009

Felton – An afternoon crash that occurred yesterday at approximately 3:50 pm has left a Harrington man injured and a state police cruiser totaled. It occurred on Canterbury Road (SR 15) at Midstate Road (SR 12).

The investigation revealed a 20 year veteran of the Delaware State Police (who is assigned to Troop 3) was stopped at the stop sign on SR 15 waiting to cross SR 12 and travel south. A 2007 Kia Optima, operated by Rory M. Dudley, 27 of Harrington was traveling south on SR 15 approaching the intersection where the trooper was stopped.

Because of heavy fog in the area, the operator of the Kia failed to see the stopped cruiser in front of him and rear ended it causing the crash. As a result of the impact the cruiser was pushed approximately 40 feet into the intersection. The trooper, who was wearing a seatbelt, was uninjured and exited the now disabled cruiser to check the welfare of the operator who struck him.

As the trooper was attending to the injured operator, a 1996 Nissan Sentra, operated by Casey N. Kibler, 17 of Viola, was traveling eastbound on SR 12 approaching SR 15. Due to the heavy fog, Ms. Kibler failed to see a marked stop sign and disregarded it driving right into the 1999 Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser causing a second crash.

As a result of the crash, the operator of the Kia sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Kent General hospital by ambulance. He was wearing a seatbelt. The other operators including the trooper were not injured. Mr. Dudley was cited for Careless Driving and Ms. Kibler will be cited for the same offense. Alcohol was not a factor.

 

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