Delmar, DE (March 11, 2025) – A multi-truck collision caused one tractor-trailer to overturn and spill logs onto the roadway, leading to traffic delays and hospitalizations, according to the Delaware State Police (DSP).
Accident Details: The crash occurred at approximately 2:03 p.m. near Raceway Road as a Peterbilt tractor-trailer attempted to turn into a parking lot from the right lane. A Freightliner tractor-trailer carrying logs, traveling southbound behind the Peterbilt, failed to slow down and collided with the trailer of the turning truck. The force of impact pushed the Freightliner into a Mack tractor-trailer that was traveling in the left lane, causing the Freightliner to overturn and spill its load of logs onto the highway.
Emergency responders transported the Peterbilt’s driver, a 27-year-old man from Easton, Maryland, and a 24-year-old passenger from Halethorpe, Maryland, to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Freightliner’s driver, a 73-year-old man from Salisbury, Maryland, was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Mack truck, a 27-year-old man from Salisbury, Maryland, was uninjured.
Authorities cited the Freightliner’s driver for following too closely.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: Rear-end collisions involving large commercial vehicles can often be catastrophic, particularly when a truck fails to maintain a safe following distance. In this case, investigators have cited the Freightliner driver for following too closely, which suggests they did not allow enough space to stop safely when the Peterbilt slowed to turn.
Due to their longer stopping times and heavier weight, truck drivers must maintain a greater following distance than standard vehicles. Failing to anticipate slowdowns and properly manage braking distances can lead to chain-reaction collisions, as seen in this crash. Authorities will review the Freightliner’s black box data, which may reveal speed and braking patterns before impact.
The spillage of logs onto the roadway posed a secondary hazard to other motorists. Investigators will likely examine whether the Freightliner’s cargo was secured correctly and whether any road conditions or external factors contributed to the crash.
Injured victims may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim if negligence played a role.
I extend my sincerest thoughts to those injured in this collision.
Source: Coast TV