SMYRNA, Del.- Police have released the name of a man killed when the pickup he was driving collided with a tractor-trailer in Smyrna on New Year's Day.
Delaware State Police identified the victim as 79-year-old Gary L. Petitt of Townsend, Del.
Troopers said the accident happened shortly before 4 p.m. on southbound U.S. Route 13 (DuPont Parkway) at the intersection for the ramp to and from State Route 1 northbound, just north of Duck Creek Road.
Police said a 2018 Freightliner tractor-trailer, operated by a 44-year-old Smyrna woman, was traveling northbound on Route 13 from the Smyrna area and was approaching the intersection north of Duck Creek Road, where motorists can access northbound SR 1. Troopers said that meantime, a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, operated by Pettitt, was traveling southbound on Route 13 and approaching this same intersection.
The tractor-trailer reportedly proceeded - with a green arrow traffic signal - to make a left turn in order to travel northbound SR 1. Police said that as the Dodge was heading southbound on Route 13 at a reported high rate of speed, it entered into the grass median where it struck a speed limit sign. It then re-entered the southbound lanes of Rt. 13 and continued through the intersection where it struck the right side of the trailer portion of the tractor-trailer. Troopers said that upon impact, Petitt, who was not wearing a seat belt, was fully ejected from the vehicle, coming to rest in the roadway.
Petitt was transported to Christiana Hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
The driver of the Freightliner, who was properly restrained, was not injured. Impairment is not a contributing factor on her behalf, according to police.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Cpl. J. Breen of the Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit at 302-365-8486.