Newark, DE — March 4, 2025, One person was killed and three were injured following a car accident that occurred around 6:20 A.M. on Christiana Rd.

An investigation is underway into a car accident that left one person dead and injured three others during the morning hours of March 4th. According to official reports, an 84-year-old was travelling in the area of Christiana Road and University Plaza when his vehicle pulled in front of a car as it was turning resulting in a collision.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the 84-year-old had sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased, while the second vehicle which was being operated by a 46-year-old woman with two minor passengers, sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital. At this time there has been no further information released about the accident, including the identities of those involved as-well-as the status of the injured. This remains an ongoing investigation however, and more details may be released in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope investigators are taking every possible step to determine exactly what happened. At first glance, this may seem like a case of one driver making a miscalculation, but experience has shown me that crashes are often more complex than they first appear. To get a full understanding, there are three critical questions that need to be asked.

The first question is whether authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Reports state that the older driver "pulled in front of" another vehicle, but that doesn’t explain why it happened. Did the driver fail to see the oncoming car, or was there an external factor at play, such as an obstructed view, confusing signage, or another vehicle influencing the movement? Were there any witnesses, and if so, have their statements been properly documented? Since law enforcement resources and training vary, it’s important to assess whether a more detailed accident reconstruction is necessary to uncover all contributing factors.

The second question that is often overlooked is whether a vehicle defect played a role. Could there have been an issue with the brakes, accelerator, or steering that caused the driver to move unexpectedly into the other vehicle’s path? While it’s easy to assume that a driver’s actions were intentional, mechanical failures do happen—especially in older vehicles that may not have been regularly maintained. Unfortunately, vehicle defects often go unnoticed because most people don’t think to examine the car for malfunctions after a crash. If the vehicle is still available, a forensic examination could determine whether a defect contributed to the incident.

The final question is whether all relevant electronic data has been collected. The vehicles involved may have electronic control modules (ECMs) that store valuable data about speed, braking, and steering inputs leading up to the crash. Additionally, traffic cameras, security footage, or even GPS data from the drivers’ phones could provide further insight. This type of evidence can be crucial in understanding exactly what happened, but if authorities don’t act quickly to secure it, it could be lost.

At the end of the day, crashes like this leave families searching for answers. A proper investigation must go beyond surface-level assumptions and ensure that all possible factors are considered. The least we can do for those affected is to make sure every question is answered and that no piece of evidence is overlooked.