UPDATE: Driver Charged with Vehicular Homicide, DUI for Fatal Laurel Crash
UPDATE: Delaware State Police have arrested a driver in connection with a fatal crash in Laurel that killed a Delmar woman.
Officers arrested 63-year-old James Elliot of Laurel on charges of second degree vehicular homicide, driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and failure to stop at a stop sign. He was arraigned and committed to the Department of Correction on a $21,500 cash bond.
On Aug. 27, a Nissan Frontier failed to stop at a stop sign on Old Stage Road, striking a Kia Sportage and killing the driver, identified as 54-year-old Norma Eckard. The driver of the Nissan, identified as Elliott, was taken to a local hospital to be treated for injuries he sustained in the crash.
Troopers visited Elliot in the hospital as part of their investigation, and while speaking with him observed signs of impairment. Troopers subsequently obtained and executed a search warrant for a sample of his blood at the hospital.
The crash remains under investigation.
LAUREL, Del. – The Delaware State Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that killed one and left another seriously injured.
Around 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, police say a Nissan Frontier was traveling on Salt Barn Road, approaching the stop sign at Old Stage Road. At the same time, a Kia Sportage was traveling southbound on Old Stage Road, approaching Salt Barn Road. A preliminary investigation revealed that the Nissan failed to stop at the stop sign and struck the driver’s side front of the Kia.
The driver of the Kia, identified as 54-year-old Norma Eckard of Delmar, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Nissan, a 63-year-old man from Laurel, was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries.
The roadway was closed(Opens in a new window.) for approximately 4 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the collision, or has related video, to contact Sergeant A. Mitchell by calling (302) 703-3269. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police(Opens in a new window.) or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers(Opens in a new window.) at (800) 847-3333.
This article was originally published on Aug. 28 at 5:56 p.m.
