Delaware police have charged a teenager in the death of a 6-year-old following a head-on collision on Route 4 in Newport Friday night. Officials said the crash occurred on West Newport Pike near Gregg Avenue, when the Wilmington 19-year-old, driving a Buick Rendezvous, crossed into oncoming traffic, slammed head-on into an oncoming Toyota Corolla.
The Toyota driver, who was eight months pregnant, was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. The baby was delivered at the hospital and is also listed in critical condition. Two other passengers, a 6-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, were also taken to the hospital. The girl was pronounced dead, and the boy was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. All were wearing seatbelts, according to police.
The teen driver is facing multiple charges, including Vehicular Homicide and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of the Combination of Alcohol and any Drug.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol poses severe risks to everyone on the road. Impaired drivers often have delayed reaction times, reduced coordination, and poor judgment, increasing the likelihood of accidents. When alcohol or drugs are involved, the risk of serious injuries and fatalities increases dramatically – especially for young passengers.
Delaware has strict laws against underage DUI. Drivers under 21 have a lower legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit of 0.02% versus the 0.08% for drivers over 21. Penalties may include fines, up to two years mandatory license suspension, court-ordered treatment programs, and potential jail time, depending on the severity of the offense. More serious outcomes, such as causing serious injury or death while driving, can result in felony charges and long-term consequences.
McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC is a full-service personal injury law firm. To learn more about our legal services or schedule a free consultation, call 302-888-1221 or contact us online. With office locations in Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve clients in Wilmington, Dover, Newark, and Middletown, Delaware.