Fatal Crash in Townsend

Fatal Crash in Townsend

(TOWNSEND, Del.) - The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit has identified the 54 year old year old Townsend, DE man who was killed in the three vehicle crash which occurred on Friday, July 1, 2016, on US Rt. 13 at Blackbird Landing Road as Leyland S. Reffett.

The initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. yesterday, Friday, July 1, 2016, as Robert A. MacDonough, 60, of Fleetwood, PA, was operating a 2004 Jeep Cherokee, and was traveling in a northbound direction on US Rt. 13 (DuPont Parkway) approaching the intersection of Blackbird Landing Road, Townsend. For an unknown reason, MacDonough failed to stop for a red traffic signal and struck the left side of a 2002 Honda Civic, which was in the process of making a left hand turn from westbound Blackbird Landing Road onto southbound US Rt. 13 on a solid green light, and which was being operated by a 54 year old Townsend, DE man. The force of the impact pushed the Honda into the rear of a 2013 Chrysler 200, which was traveling in a southbound direction on US Rt. 13, and which was being operated by Norman M. Richards, 37, of Clementon, NJ.

The 54 year old operator of the Honda was treated at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics before being transported to the Christiana Hospital Trauma Center where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

A 54 year old female passenger and a 14 year old male passenger of the Honda were also treated at the scene by Paramedics. They were also transported to the Christiana Hospital where they were treated for their non-life threatening injuries. There were no other injuries.

Robert MacDonough was initially charged by Troopers with Failure to Stop at a Red Light; however, this crash remains under investigation.