A devastating two-vehicle collision in Delaware has claimed the life of 72-year-old James Matthews of Newark, leaving a community grieving and raising renewed concerns about impaired driving.
According to the Delaware State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 2:20 p.m. on April 18, 2026, at the intersection of Rocky Run Parkway and Concord Pike. Investigators say Matthews was driving a gray Toyota Prius eastbound in a left-turn lane and entered the intersection on a green arrow, attempting to turn north onto Concord Pike.
At the same time, a white Ford Taurus traveling southbound on Concord Pike allegedly failed to stop at a red light and struck the driver’s side of Matthews’ vehicle with significant force. The collision caused severe damage to both vehicles and scattered debris across the roadway, prompting a large emergency response.
Matthews was critically injured and transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died despite life-saving efforts. His passing has left family members and loved ones facing a profound and sudden loss.
The other driver, 35-year-old Michelle Palazzolo of Wilmington, sustained injuries described as non-life-threatening. Authorities reported signs of impairment at the scene, leading to further investigation.
Police have since charged Palazzolo with second-degree vehicular homicide while driving under the influence, driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to have required insurance, and failure to stop at a red light. She was arraigned and later taken into custody at the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution after bond was set.
The roadway remained closed for several hours as investigators processed the scene. As the case continues, the community mourns the loss of James Matthews, remembered as a life taken too soon in a preventable tragedy.
Leave a Reply