Police: High speed a factor in Wilmington double fatal crash

Investigators say high speed was a factor in a crash Wednesday night that killed two people and caused a large power outage in Wilmington's Southbridge area, an official said.

As of Thursday morning, Delmarva Power's website is reporting that about 80 customers remain without power.  Service is not expected to be restored until 3 p.m., according to the website.

The crash happened at about 10:50 p.m. when a 1996 Acura was traveling northbound in the 900 block of New Castle Ave. at a high rate of speed when the driver hit a raised center median, said an official with the Wilmington Police Department.

The vehicle lost control and hit two utility poles before coming to a stop and catching fire, an official said.

The driver and a passenger, who police have not identified, sustained injuries in the crash and the fire.  They were both pronounced dead at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics, an official said.

Their bodies have been turned over to the state Medical Examiner for positive identification, an official said.

Both directions of the roadway are currently closed as crews continue to replace the utility poles, an official said.

Tomecka Stocks, 41, lives nearby in Hamilton Park and is one of many families without power. Stocks had just gotten home from work when the power went out.

"The lights went out, and then we went outside, walked the block and then I heard sirens," Stocks said.

Stocks said she heard from people in the area that the crash may have been a result of a race. Police, however, did not confirm racing was the cause of the wreck.

The crash investigation is active and ongoing.