NEWS

Car driver charged in crash with tractor-trailer

robin brown
The News Journal

A driver was charged with driving under the influence of drugs and other offenses after he ran into a parked tractor-trailer Sunday in Stanton, state police said Monday.

The crash about 4:15 p.m. on the shoulder of Stanton-Christiana Road (Del. 7/4) near Delaware Park Boulevard left driver Clarence Hobbs, 45, of Newark, and his passenger seriously injured, Master Cpl. Jeffrey R. Hale said.

Investigation determined Hobbs was headed north when his car left the road's east edge and ran into the unoccupied tractor-trailer, parked on the shoulder, Hale said.

He was trapped in the wreckage for about 15 minutes before being extricated by rescuers from Christiana, Mill Creek and Belvedere fire companies, Paramedic Sgt. Michael A. McColley said.

The injured man was treated at the scene for face and leg injuries, McColley said.

The other occupant of the car was a 42-year-old woman who suffered chest and extremity injuries, also treated at the scene, he said.

Hobbs and his passenger were taken to Christiana Hospital, where both were admitted in serious condition, McColley said.

Troopers later charged Hobbs with multiple traffic offenses, including DUI and careless driving, also cited for paraphernalia possession after police found he had a pipe used to smoke marijuana, Hale said.

The crash closed Christiana-Stanton Road for about an hour as troopers investigated and wreckage was cleared.

The crash remains under investigation, Hale said.

Contact robin brown at (302) 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com. Find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @rbrowndelaware.