Saturday December, 17 2011 @ 14:25:16 Nature: Vehicle Accident ALS Address: 27070 - 27078 John J Williams Hwy ITAO Gull Point Rd., Millsboro, DE 19966 On Saturday afternoon, December 17th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a serious vehicle collision on John J. Williams Highway in the vicinity of Gull Point Road. It was reported to be a dump truck and Ford station wagon type vehicle with heavy occupant entrapment. Emergency response alerts included the Delaware State Police Aviation units, the Sussex County Paramedics, the Delaware State Fire Police and various other ancillary medical response personnel. It appears that the dump truck type vehicle was traveling eastbound on John J. Williams Highway and a Ford Taurus station wagon was traveling westbound. Both vehicles collided causing substanial damage to the passenger vehicle. Indian River’s emergency response units included Rescue 80 from the Oak Orchard facility and Engine #80-5 from the Long Neck facility. The emergency crew assignments were to assist with patient stabilization, vehicle stabilization, preparation for vehicle extrication measures as well as vehicle fluid absorption techniques while the Delaware State Fire Police were required to coordinate traffic control assistance for the duration of the incident. The Delaware State Police will be conducting an extended evaluation and investigation which will require the closure of the John J. Williams Highway. Additional information may be obtained by via the following web pages: • WGMD Radio Station #92.7 – www.wgmd.com http://www.wgmd.com/?p=43163 UPDATE – Dec 18 - State Police continue to investigate a crash Saturday afternoon on Route 24 that left one person injured. The crash between a car and a dump truck occurred just before 2:30 between Streets and Gull Point Roads. Police say a Taurus driven by 85 year old Vincent Thomas of Ocean View crossed the center line – hitting the side of a dump truck fully loaded with hot mix asphalt. The car spun from impact and Thomas had to be cut from the vehicle. Thomas was flown to Christiana Hospital. The driver of the truck, 42 year old Joseph Wittrock of Milford was not injured. Route 24 was shut down for about 3 and a half hours. —————————————- DSP News Release: Car Collides with Dump Truck near Millsboro Location: John J. Williams Highway (SR 24) west of Gull Point Rd, Millsboro, DE Date of Occurrence: Saturday, December 17, 2011 at approximately 2:20 p.m. Operators/Vehicles: Operator#1: Vincent D. Thomas, 85, Ocean View, DE Vehicle #1: 2000 Ford Taurus Operator #2: Joseph J. Wittrock, 42, Milford, DE Vehicle#2: 2005 Mack Dump Body (CU7) Resume: Millsboro, DE- Troopers are investigating a collision between a dump truck and a passenger car that occurred on SR 24 east of Millsboro. The incident occurred approximately 2:20 p.m. this afternoon as Vincent Thomas, 85, was operating his 2000 Ford Taurus westbound on John J. Williams Highway (SR 24) west of Gull Point Road. Mr. Thomas’ vehicle crossed the solid double lines and entered into the eastbound lane of travel. Joseph Wittrock, 42, was traveling eastbound on John J. Williams Highway in a fully loaded 2005 Mack Dump Truck carrying hot mix asphalt when the Taurus struck the right side of the truck, narrowly missing a head-on collision. The force of the impact spun the Ford Taurus in a counter clockwise manner coming to a rest facing east in the westbound lane. The dump truck continued approximately 330 feet before coming to a rest on the eastbound shoulder. Mr. Thomas was trapped in his vehicle and had to be extricated by mechanical means by Fire personnel. He was then transported Beebe Hospital in Lewes in serious condition and was later flown to Christiana Hospital. Mr. Wittrock was not injured. Speed does not appear to be a factor in this collision and the investigation is on going. The roadway was shut down for approximately 3 ½ hours. —————————- UPDATE – 7pm – According to DelDOT’s website, Route 24 has reopened to traffic in the Gull Point area. UPDATE – 6pm Route 24 remains closed at this hour while State Police investigate a crash between a Taurus wagon and a dump truck that occurred just before 2:30. At least one person was injured. Indian River fire officials say the dump truck was westbound on Route 24 and the Taurus was headed eastbound when they collided, trapping the driver of the car inside. WGMD will have more information as it becomes available. UPDATED & BREAKING: Crash closes Route 24 in Gull Point area east of Millsboro 2:45pm – Crews on scene say Route 24 will be closed for an extended period of time because of crash that occurred just before 2:30pm. 2:30pm – Emergency crews are on the scene of a vehicle crash on Route 24 between the area of Gull Point Road and Streets Road. Officials say at least one person is injured. Trooper 2 is also on the scene and drivers in the area should expect delays or to detour around the scene.