Driver runs red light, kills mom and child in crash, police say

NEW CASTLE, Del. (CBS) -- A mother and daughter were killed and six more people were injured when a speeding driver ran a red light and caused a crash late Wednesday night in New Castle, Delaware State Police said.

The crash involved three vehicles — a minivan, a car, and an SUV — and happened around 11:20 p.m. at the busy intersection of Airport and Christiana roads. Nearby roads and the intersection were closed overnight after the crash but reopened after 6 a.m. Thursday.

Police said a 2008 Dodge Caravan with six people inside was stopped at a red light at the intersection. Once the light for a left turn lane changed to green, the van began to make a left turn from Christiana Road onto Airport Road.

As the van entered the intersection, an oncoming 2022 Kia K5 speeding down Christiana Road went through a red light at the intersection and hit the van.

Video from a nearby gas station showed the moment of impact and the van rolling several times before coming to rest on the road.

The Kia deflected across the cement median after the initial impact and struck a 2020 Hyundai Tuscon SUV.

Police said the Kia driver had been pulled by a Delaware State Police trooper around 11:08 p.m., minutes before the crash occurred - but the driver fled the scene.

"The trooper attempted to follow, but lost sight of the vehicle within seconds," a Delaware State Police spokesperson said in an email. "The trooper then pulled into a parking lot and remained stationary. Unfortunately, at 11:20 p.m., the vehicle was involved in a fatal crash. The vehicle was not being actively pursued at the time of the fatal crash."

A 29-year-old woman from New Castle, Delaware was driving the Dodge with five of her children inside. She was killed along with her 10-year-old daughter, according to police. The four other children were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

The Kia driver, a 26-year-old man from Wilmington, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The Hyundai driver, a 43-year-old woman from Bear, Delaware, also had serious injuries.

Police did not release the names of the victims as relatives were still being notified.

Road crews worked quickly to clear debris from the roadway ahead of rush hour. The intersection was closed for about six hours.