UPDATE: Victim identified in deadly five car crash
Delaware State Police have released the name of the victim who lost their life following a five-car crash north of Dover Thursday.
Troopers have identified 62-year-old Sarah Baird, of Wilmington as the driver who died at the scene.
The crash reportedly happened just before 2:00 PM along Route 1 near Fast Landing Road. Troopers say, a Jeep operated by 26-year-old Brandon Cooper, of Georgia, was driving southbound in the right lane of Route 1, when for unknown reasons, Baird lost control oh her Volvo and began to spin as it exited the northbound lane through the grass median. Troopers say the front of the Volvo then struck the left front corner of the Jeep.
As the initial crash was occurring, Troopers say 38-year-old Brian Mathe, was operating a Honda southbound in the left lane behind the Jeep. Investigators say Mathe was able to slow and successfully avoided the collision, however, he was struck by a GMC directly behind the Honda, operated by 46-year-old Kelli Amaya, who was not able to stop in time to avoid the Honda.
According to police, as these two collisions were simultaneously occurring, 60-year-old Vicki Johnson, was operating a Chevrolet, pulling an enclosed horse trailer, southbound in the right lane slightly behind and to the right of Amaya’s GMC. Police say Johnson attempted to maneuver the GMC between the two collisions, and in doing so, struck the left side front door of the Volvo as it was spinning out of control. Police say in the aftermath, the Wrangler became engulfed in flames, however, no one was injured as a result of the fire.
As a result of the chain-reaction crash, DSP say Baird, who was properly restrained was pronounced dead at the scene. Further, police say a 63-year-old male passenger in the Volvo was not properly restrained and was airlifted by Delaware State Police Aviation to Christiana Medical Center where he was admitted with undetermined injuries.
Police say Cooper was properly restrained and was transported by EMS to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Troopers say Brian Mathe was properly restrained and was uninjured in the crash. Investigators say Amaya was properly restrained and was transported by EMS to Kent General Hospital, where she was admitted with undetermined injuries. And, police say Johnson was properly restrained and was uninjured in the crash.
A horse that was in the trailer was also reportedly uninjured in the incident.
Members of the DSP Collision Reconstruction unit are still trying to figure out what caused the crashes.
State Police say Route 1 southbound and northbound was closed for approximately three and a half hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.
