Max
12-15-2002, 03:15 PM
Accident kills DART bus driver
Crash on Del. 141 also injures 4
By SEAN O'SULLIVAN
Staff reporter
12/15/2002
One woman died and four people were injured Saturday morning when a car and a DART Paratransit bus collided at the intersection of Del. 141 and Airport Road.
Amanda Williams, 30, of Newark, who was driving the DART bus, was killed, said Cpl. Walter Newton of the Delaware State Police.
The bus, carrying three passengers, was headed south on Del. 141 when it collided with a white 1994 Chevrolet Camaro just before 6 a.m. The Camaro was crossing Del. 141, police said. There is a traffic light at the intersection and Newton said it was unclear who had the right of way.
Newton said the bus driver apparently turned the vehicle to the left in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid the collision and the bus spun around, with the right side striking a guardrail. The impact of the crash threw Williams from the driver's seat through the passenger doors, Newton said. She was caught between the bus and the guardrail when the bus overturned and fell down a 12-foot embankment.
Williams was not wearing a seat belt, police said.
Drew McCaskey, spokesman for DART First State, said Williams had been driving for DART Paratransit for about four years.
McCaskey would not comment further, citing DART policies.
"It is a police matter," he said.
DART Paratransit buses are smaller than regular DART buses that carry commuters around the state and city of Wilmington. DART's more than 200 paratransit buses do not operate on fixed routes. Instead, the buses are operated for people with disabilities who call 24 hours in advance to make appointments for a ride.
Williams and the three passengers in the bus were taken to Christiana Hospital, where Williams was pronounced dead.
Dania Smith, 60, of Wilmington, was admitted with a broken arm; Franklin J. Wilson, 85, of Wilmington, was admitted for a spinal cord injury and Melba Hutnyan, 72, of Wilmington, was admitted with broken ribs.
The driver of the Camaro, Marilynn A. Sheriff, 20, of Newark, also was taken to Christiana Hospital, where she was in critical condition late Saturday.
The accident closed the road for 5 1/2 hours. Newton said the investigation is continuing.
Reach Sean O'Sullivan at 324-2777 or at sosullivan@delawareonline.com.
Crash on Del. 141 also injures 4
By SEAN O'SULLIVAN
Staff reporter
12/15/2002
One woman died and four people were injured Saturday morning when a car and a DART Paratransit bus collided at the intersection of Del. 141 and Airport Road.
Amanda Williams, 30, of Newark, who was driving the DART bus, was killed, said Cpl. Walter Newton of the Delaware State Police.
The bus, carrying three passengers, was headed south on Del. 141 when it collided with a white 1994 Chevrolet Camaro just before 6 a.m. The Camaro was crossing Del. 141, police said. There is a traffic light at the intersection and Newton said it was unclear who had the right of way.
Newton said the bus driver apparently turned the vehicle to the left in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid the collision and the bus spun around, with the right side striking a guardrail. The impact of the crash threw Williams from the driver's seat through the passenger doors, Newton said. She was caught between the bus and the guardrail when the bus overturned and fell down a 12-foot embankment.
Williams was not wearing a seat belt, police said.
Drew McCaskey, spokesman for DART First State, said Williams had been driving for DART Paratransit for about four years.
McCaskey would not comment further, citing DART policies.
"It is a police matter," he said.
DART Paratransit buses are smaller than regular DART buses that carry commuters around the state and city of Wilmington. DART's more than 200 paratransit buses do not operate on fixed routes. Instead, the buses are operated for people with disabilities who call 24 hours in advance to make appointments for a ride.
Williams and the three passengers in the bus were taken to Christiana Hospital, where Williams was pronounced dead.
Dania Smith, 60, of Wilmington, was admitted with a broken arm; Franklin J. Wilson, 85, of Wilmington, was admitted for a spinal cord injury and Melba Hutnyan, 72, of Wilmington, was admitted with broken ribs.
The driver of the Camaro, Marilynn A. Sheriff, 20, of Newark, also was taken to Christiana Hospital, where she was in critical condition late Saturday.
The accident closed the road for 5 1/2 hours. Newton said the investigation is continuing.
Reach Sean O'Sullivan at 324-2777 or at sosullivan@delawareonline.com.