Dense Fog in Delaware, October 26, 2000

Widespread dense fog contributed to several multi-vehicle accidents in Sussex County. The most serious accident occurred on Delaware State Route 36 just north of Delaware State Route 16 near Greenwood at 835 a.m. EDT. A school bus stopped to pick up children when it was rear ended by a pick-up truck. The force of the collision pushed the bus over the median into the northbound lanes. Two subsequent vehicles collided with the bus and the pick-up truck. A seven-year-old boy suffered a fractured vertebra. Two other children on the bus and three persons in the other vehicles suffered minor injuries. All the other drivers were charged with wreckless driving. Several school districts in Sussex County had delayed openings. Three multi-vehicle accidents occurred on Delaware State Route 1 between Broadkill Hundred and Nassau. Ten vehicles were involved in the accidents, but the injuries were described as minor. The route was closed for several hours until the accidents were cleared and the fog lifted. One Sussex County unit of the Delaware State Police responded to eight accidents in a twelve hour period alone.