Newark crash injures 92-year-old, alcohol 'a factor'

A 92-year-old man was hospitalized on Monday after he was hit head-on by a driver in Newark who may have been intoxicated, Delaware State Police said.

Around 10:57 a.m., Newark resident Steven Dericco, 48, was driving a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder in the wrong direction in the westbound lanes of Del. 2, police said.

As he approached Parke Avenue "at an apparent high rate of speed," police said the front of the Pathfinder struck the front of a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu which was stopped on the shoulder of westbound Del. 2 west of Parke Avenue. The Malibu was operated by 92-year-old John Morrison of Elkton, Maryland, police said.

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The force of the collision pushed the Malibu into the left lane of westbound Del. 2, where it was struck again by a 2007 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Nancy Lavigne, 49, of Wilmington, police said.

"Alcohol use on the part of Dericco is being considered as a factor in the crash," police said.

Dericco was treated at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics before he was transported to Christiana Hospital with serious injuries, police said.

Morrison was also treated by paramedics and transported to Christiana, police said. Lavigne was not injured, according to police.

This crash remains under investigation, officials said. No charges have been filed at this time.

Contact Christina Jedra at (302) 324-2837, cjedra@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ChristinaJedra.