Driver charged with vehicular homicide, DUI after deadly crash in Bear, Delaware

BEAR, Del. (WPVI) -- A Wilmington, Delaware man has been charged with DUI and vehicular homicide after a crash that killed a 69-year-old woman and left a 76-year-old man critically injured.

It happened at 10:22 p.m. Saturday on westbound Route 40 at the on-ramp to Route 1 in Bear.

Delaware State Police say a 2005 Ford Expedition, driven by 30-year-old Cristobal Guzman-Martinez of Wilmington, ran a red light and hit a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am as the Grand Am was turning onto the on-ramp to northbound Route 1.

The passenger in the Grand Am, 69-year-old Phyllis Kessler of Bear, was taken to Christiana Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The Grand Am's driver, 76-year-old Melvin Kessler of Bear, was also taken to Christiana Hospital, where he remained in critical condition Sunday morning.

Police say Guzman-Martinez was not hurt.

He was taken into custody at the scene and has been charged with 2nd degree Vehicular Homicide, 1st degree Vehicle Assault, DUI, driving without a valid license and no proof of insurance.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate.