Photo 138415583 © Viorel Margineanu | Dreamstime.com

Dover resident arrested following fatal townsend pedestrian collision — Photo 138415583 © Viorel Margineanu | Dreamstime.com

In a tragic incident in Townsend, Delaware, a pedestrian lost their life after being struck by a vehicle. The driver, a 36-year-old man from Dover, Delaware, has been arrested on multiple charges, including Driving Under the Influence of a Drug, in relation to the accident.

The Delaware State Police reported that the accident occurred on January 24 at about 5:19 p.m. The involved vehicle, a 2023 Kia Soul, was traveling north on US Route 13 (Dupont Parkway), north of Blackbird Landing Road. Prior to the collision, the vehicle was observed driving erratically.

The victim, a 40-year-old pedestrian from Townsend, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have withheld the victim’s identity pending notification of family members. It is currently under investigation whether the pedestrian was on the roadway or the shoulder at the time of the accident. Notably, the pedestrian was wearing bright, reflective clothing, suitable for the dark conditions of the unlit road.

The driver of the Kia, who was unharmed in the incident, showed signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested. Charges against him include Driving Under the Influence of a Drug, Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance, Driving While Suspended, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Additionally, two passengers in the Kia, a 23-year-old woman and a 4-year-old child, both from Dover, were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The accident led to the closure of the involved section of US Route 13 for about four hours as the scene was investigated and cleared. The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and further charges are pending.

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