SMYRNA, Del.- A 26-year-old woman lost her life attempting to cross South Dupont Blvd. on Saturday night, some view it as a wake-up call.
The accident occurred just north of the Economy Inn Motel when Jakyrah Wayman made an attempt to cross the highway near Spring Meadow Drive. Regrettably, she was struck by three vehicles, the initial one being a Delaware State Police Chevy Tahoe.
John O'Neil from Smyrna believes that Route 13 lacks sufficient pedestrian accommodations to avert such tragedies.
"People trying to cross over are having a really hard time doing it," O'Neil expressed. "When I'm down that way, I rarely see anyone stopping to assist pedestrians in crossing or offering any help."
DSP said the other two cars, a Toyota and Kia, ran over the victim after she was struck. Troopers noted that the victim neither had a flashlight nor was crossing at a designated area.
O'Neil further highlighted the scarcity of visible crosswalks along the bustling highway, sharing instances when he narrowly avoided pedestrians that were practically invisible to him.
According to the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, 2023 has seen 25 pedestrian deaths.
Kent County EMS Director Kevin Sipple previously reported that around 80% of pedestrian fatalities in the preceding year happened on or near Route 13 in Dover. In 2023, the department has responded to 55 pedestrian/vehicle accidents causing injuries, a slight decrease from the total incidents recorded in 2022.
The trooper involved was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The other two drivers were not injured.
DSP asks anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Master Corporal W. Booth at (302) 698-8451.