One of Cape Region’s most painful weeks ever

In terms of injury and death, pain and suffering, the seven-day period between Aug. 6 and Aug. 12 ranks as one of Delaware Cape Region’s worst. 

At 7:52 a.m. Aug. 6, a 50-year-old driver died when his vehicle crossed the centerline and crashed into an oncoming vehicle on Route 9 east of Harbeson.   

Three young children died in an Aug. 7 noontime blaze at one of the Pot-Nets communities.

At 12:17 a.m. Aug. 11 on Route 1 near Church Street, a 40-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed in the left-hand lane when, without flashlight or reflective clothing, he walked into the pathway of a police trooper responding to a call with his vehicle’s emergency signals activated.

On that same day at 12:05 p.m., a 23-year-old driver died after her vehicle crashed on Route 1 into the rear of another automobile in a line of vehicles traveling in the left-hand lane. They had slowed ahead of her while approaching the reduced-speed zone south of Dewey Beach. 

Then, Aug. 12 at 8:15 p.m., a 24-year-old bicyclist – wearing no helmet and riding against traffic along southbound Route 1 – sustained serious head trauma when struck by an automobile exiting a parking lot onto Route 1.

All times of day, all ages and sexes of dead and injured, all different circumstances, all in our local communities. Some issues appear obvious, others not so.

There is so much more to be learned about these tragedies. Investigations are underway by fire and police professionals. Regarding the traffic incidents, officials at Delaware State Police Troop 7 ask that anyone with any knowledge about them share it by calling 302-703-3266.

Likewise, results of the investigations must be fully shared with the public sooner rather than later so, informed, we can all be involved in suggesting solutions and improvements – no matter how small – that may enable us to prevent another horrible week-long stretch like this one.