Late Saturday night on I-495 in Wilmington, a chain-reaction crash left 45-year-old Mark Barnett of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, dead and sent troopers searching for a driver who took off before they arrived, officials said.
Investigators say Barnett was driving a Ford Windstar northbound when it was rear-ended, shoved into a guardrail and disabled in the right lane. When Barnett got out of the minivan, a pickup traveling on the highway struck him, according to authorities. The driver of the vehicle that initially hit the Windstar fled, and crews shut down the northbound side of the interstate for several hours while troopers worked the scene.
According to Daily Voice, the crash happened around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4. The outlet reports that a Kia Optima rear-ended the Windstar in the right lane, forcing it into the guardrail. After Barnett stepped out of the van, he was hit by a Ram 1500 pickup and later died at a nearby hospital. Daily Voice notes that the Ram’s driver, described as a 65-year-old Pennsylvania man, was not injured.
Troop 2 crash team handling reconstruction
The Delaware State Police say their Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit leads investigations into fatal crashes and complex highway pileups. The unit relies on detailed scene measurements, close inspections of vehicles and damage patterns and any available video to piece together how a chain of impacts unfolded. That kind of work often keeps lanes closed for extended periods while troopers collect evidence and speak with witnesses.
How troopers say the wreck unfolded
Based on the early investigation, troopers say the Ford Windstar was hit from behind by the Kia Optima, which pushed the van into the guardrail. Barnett exited the vehicle and was then struck by the Ram 1500. Police say the Kia’s operator left the area before troopers arrived, while the Ram’s driver remained on scene and was unhurt.
Not the first serious crash on this stretch
The northbound lanes of I-495 near the 12th Street and Brandywine exit have seen other major crashes and lengthy shutdowns in recent years, according to local news coverage. Earlier reporting from CBS Philadelphia has documented similar multi-vehicle collisions in the same general area that required reconstruction crews and long detours for drivers.
Legal stakes when a driver runs
Legal guides note that under Delaware law, leaving the scene of a crash that causes injury or death can bring hit-and-run charges that range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the harm involved. Prosecutors routinely prioritize tracking down drivers who flee fatal crash scenes, and those motorists can also face civil lawsuits from victims’ families.
State police ask for tips and video
Delaware State Police are asking anyone who saw the crash or who may have dash-cam or surveillance footage from the area to contact Corporal D. McKenna at 302-365-8486 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333, according to the agency’s public postings. Tipsters can also reach out through the department’s official online channels to share video or information that could help the ongoing investigation.
