One dead in tractor trailer crash on i-95 in newark — Stock photo - tractor trailer, rear view mirror

Newark, DE- Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer that occurred early Sunday morning.

On January 30, 2022, at approximately 4:04 a.m., a 2017 Ford Focus operated by John D. White, 58, of New Hampshire, was traveling southbound on Interstate 95 in the right thru lane at speeds below the posted speed limit. At the same time, a 2020 Freightliner Tractor/Trailer operated by a 37-year-old Newark man was traveling in the right thru lane approaching the Ford from the rear. Due to the slower moving vehicle ahead in the right-thru lane, the driver of the Freightliner changed lanes and entered the center-right lane to move past the slower passenger vehicle.

After changing lanes, the Freightliner began approaching the rear of the Ford from the center-right lane. Moments later, White merged into the center-right lane into the path of the Freightliner. The truck driver was unable to avoid the rear-end collision, resulting in the front right bumper striking the rear center of the Focus. The vehicles continued traveling into the right thru lane than the right exit lane to SR-896. The Freightliner followed the damaged Ford as it coasted onto the exit ramp from I-95 to northbound SR-896, where it came to a controlled stop in the right shoulder.

A 56-year-old Virginia woman was seated in the front seat of the Ford Focus. She and White were not properly restrained. As a result of the collision, the female sustained life-threatening injuries. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she died a short time later. Identification is pending notification to next of kin.

The 37-year-old Newark man was properly restrained and was uninjured in the collision.

After the initial investigation, John D. White was charged with the following crimes:

Operation of a Vehicle Causing Death of Another Person
Driving without a Valid Driver License
Improper Lane Change
Failure to Signal Lane Change

White was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $1,500.00 secured bond.

The ramp from southbound I-95 to northbound SR-896 was closed for approximately 4-hours during the on-scene investigation.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this collision. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Dermot Alexander at 302.365.8484. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppers.com.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.