William Blevins Obituary: A Fatal Vehicle Crash on Sunset Lake Road
Delaware State Police have identified a 91-year-old man from Newark who passed away two days after being involved in a vehicle crash near Glasgow. The man, William Blevins, died on May 12 from injuries sustained in the accident, which occurred on the afternoon of May 10. According to investigators, the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. on Sunset Lake Road, a route located just outside the Glasgow area. Blevins had been driving his Honda Accord southbound on Sunset Lake Road when he attempted to execute a wide U-turn near Broadleaf Drive. During this maneuver, his car entered the path of an oncoming RAM 1500 pickup truck that was making a left turn from the southbound lanes of the same road.
The Incident
The two vehicles collided, with Blevins’ Honda taking the brunt of the impact. Emergency responders arrived quickly and transported Blevins to a nearby hospital for treatment. Sadly, despite medical intervention, he succumbed to his injuries two days later. The driver of the RAM 1500, a 60-year-old man from Bear, Delaware, was not hurt in the collision. Police have not released his name and have indicated that no charges have been filed at this point in the investigation.
Investigation
The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit is leading the inquiry into the crash. Investigators are working to piece together the sequence of events that led to the tragic outcome. They are reviewing witness statements, examining physical evidence from the scene, and may inspect traffic surveillance footage if available. The goal is to determine whether any additional factors contributed to the collision, such as visibility issues, driver distraction, or vehicle malfunction.
Community Response
The crash has brought attention once again to the challenges faced by elderly drivers, particularly in navigating complex maneuvers such as U-turns on busy or high-speed roads. While no blame has been officially assigned, police emphasize the importance of caution and situational awareness for all motorists, especially older drivers who may experience age-related declines in reaction time, vision, or mobility.
Road Safety and Prevention
Sunset Lake Road, where the crash occurred, is a multi-lane road that serves as a connector for residents traveling through the Newark and Glasgow areas. Intersections like Broadleaf Drive can become tricky, particularly during higher traffic hours or when drivers attempt turns or U-turns across opposing lanes. Local residents have expressed concern over past incidents on this stretch of road. Some have called for increased signage or additional traffic control measures to improve safety at intersections like the one where this fatal crash occurred.
Conclusion
The Delaware State Police continue to use collision reconstructions like this one to educate the public on road safety. Through careful analysis and open communication with the community, law enforcement hopes to reduce similar incidents in the future. As of now, no further details have been released regarding funeral arrangements for Blevins. The investigation is ongoing, and the findings will determine whether any additional actions or recommendations will be made in response to the crash.
