1 critical after crash, fire on 1-95 SB in Newport

NEWPORT, Del. (WPVI) -- Police say speed was a factor in a crash that injured two people on Interstate 95 southbound in Newport, Delaware on Tuesday evening.

The crash happened at 5:40 p.m. on the approach to the I-495 split.

Police say a Chevrolet Impala driven by 26-year-old Matthew C. Brown of Newark, Delaware was traveling southbound on I-95 just north of DE Rt. 141 at a high rate of speed.

The Impala veered onto the left hand shoulder of the roadway in an attempt to pass slower traffic when it struck the rear of a disabled Chevrolet Express van.

Passersby stopped and removed Brown from the wreckage just before his vehicle burst into flames.

Brown was then transported to the Christiana Hospital Trauma Center where he is currently being treated for his serious injuries.

31-year-old Robin Hart of Wilmington, who was behind the wheel of the van, was transported to the Christiana Hospital where she was treated for her minor injuries.

State police are continuing to investigate and say charges are expected.