Dover Police Investigating Serious Vehicle Accident 6-12-17

Incident/Complaint#:  50-17-18218

Date/Time:   Sunday, June 11th, 2017 at 6:40PM

Location:  Bay Road at North Blue Hen Corporate Center Entrance, Dover, DE (northbound lanes)

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating a single vehicle accident that left an 8-year-old child in critical condition on Sunday evening.  At approximately 6:40PM, a 1996 white Chevrolet Blazer, operated by Ashley Shaffer (31, Smyrna) was traveling northbound on Bay Road.  As the vehicle approached the intersection of the north Blue Hen Corporate Center entrance, the vehicle swerved to the left, then back to the right, causing the vehicle to rotate clockwise.  The vehicle then rolled at least three times, causing three children (4, 5, and 8-year-old males), to be ejected from the vehicle.  All three children had been seated in the rear of the vehicle but were not wearing seat belts and car seats/booster seats were not in the vehicle.  The operator stated that she was changing the radio as she approached the intersection and noticed the light had turned red.  The operator suddenly swerved to avoid traffic that was in the intersection at the time.

The 4 and 5-year-old children were treated and released from Bayhealth Kent General Hospital with minor injuries.  The 8-year-old child is currently listed in critical condition at A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital with a head injury.

The operator of the vehicle was charged with multiple traffic offenses.  Additional charges may be possible as the investigation continues.