A tragic scene unfolded in Wilmington, Delaware, when a car veered off the road and took the life of a child while injuring another. A 10-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries, and a 12-year-old was treated at Nemours Children's Hospital after the incident that occurred Monday afternoon near the intersection of Faulkland Road and Centerville Road, CBS Philadelphia reports.
Witnesses described the harrowing moment as the vehicle, driven by a 17-year-old, crossed into the opposite lane and struck the children. "I saw from when the car came across the street and went over the concrete. I saw him hit the one kid and the kid went flying into the yard and then he hit the corner of the guy's house, hit the front of his car and then came to a stop in my friend's yard," a neighborhood resident recounted, declining to be named in an NBC Philadelphia interview.
According to officials, the maroon Hyundai Santa Fe continued its destructive path until it rammed into a house, causing significant damage to the property. The 17-year-old driver was subsequently hospitalized, treated, and released, as mentioned by local police. Following the crash, both Faulkland and Centerville Roads were closed temporarily, with traffic resuming around 9:25 p.m.
The incident has called attention to the notorious intersection, known for high-speed traffic and a history of accidents. "They drive very fast all of the time, going through this red light," Michelle Beck, a Wilmington local, told 6abc. Adding to the community's concern, Leslie White of New Castle notes, "this is a bad intersection, Centerville and Faulkner road, there's cars flying through the lights all the time." New Castle County Police, through Sgt. Andrea Botterbusch affirmed the area’s reputation for mishaps and acknowledged that they often respond to accidents at this location.
As investigations continue, New Castle County police have urged any witnesses with additional information or video evidence to come forward. A witness asserted the high velocity of the car, saying via 6abc, "He had to be doing at least 60, if not faster," highlighting the severity of the driver's actions. The 17-year-old behind the wheel had not been charged then, with police describing the investigation as "active and ongoing."
