A tragic accident on New Year’s Day took a heartbreaking turn when a woman lost her life in a crash involving a paramedic vehicle on Interstate 95 in Delaware. According to officials from the New Castle County Police Department, the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, January 1, near the Interstate 495 interchange.
It all started just before 2:30 a.m. when New Castle County paramedics, traveling southbound on I-95 in their marked Ford F-350, noticed a crash on the left shoulder of the road. Acting quickly, they turned on their emergency lights and began changing lanes to reach the scene and assist.
While responding, their vehicle collided with a 2013 Nissan Altima. Behind the wheel of the Altima was 33-year-old Kierra West, a resident of Newark, Delaware. Her 6-year-old son was in the car with her. The paramedics’ vehicle came to a stop in one of the travel lanes, while Kierra’s car ended up on the left shoulder.
Sadly, Kierra didn’t survive the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her young son was rushed to a nearby children’s hospital, where doctors determined his injuries were not life-threatening. The paramedics involved in the collision were also taken to the hospital, where they were treated and are now in stable condition.
The crash is being thoroughly investigated by the New Castle County Division of Police Traffic Services Unit. Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information about what happened to get in touch. Detective Maloney can be reached at 302-395-8055 or via email at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call the non-emergency line at 302-573-2800.
This somber start to the New Year is a reminder of how unpredictable and fragile life can be. Police are continuing their investigation to piece together the events that led to this heartbreaking accident.