Magnolia Woman Killed in Townsend Crash

Troopers investigating two-vehicle collision at intersection of Dupont Parkway and Summit Bridge Road.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Delaware State Police is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred on Sunday night in Townsend. Officials said the crash happened around 11:40 p.m. at the intersection of Dupont Parkway and Summit Bridge Road, where a Nissan Altima traveling southbound collided with a Toyota Sienna turning left from northbound Dupont Parkway onto Summit Bridge Road. The front passenger of the Toyota, 69-year-old Laura Thomas of Magnolia, Delaware, was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The drivers and other passengers were taken to hospitals with injuries.

Why it matters

Fatal crashes at intersections are a major public safety concern, especially in areas with high traffic volumes like this section of Dupont Parkway. Investigating the cause of this collision could help identify ways to improve intersection safety and prevent future tragedies.

The details

According to the preliminary investigation, the Nissan Altima was traveling southbound in the right lane of Dupont Parkway as the Toyota Sienna was preparing to turn left from the northbound left turn lane onto Summit Bridge Road. For unknown reasons, the Toyota turned left and was struck by the front of the Nissan, resulting in the death of the Toyota's front passenger, Laura Thomas.

  • The crash occurred around 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • The roadway was closed for approximately four hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The players

Laura Thomas

A 69-year-old woman from Magnolia, Delaware who was the front passenger in the Toyota Sienna and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The driver of the Toyota Sienna

A 43-year-old woman from Dover, Delaware who was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Nissan Altima

A 50-year-old man from Townsend, Delaware who was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.

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The takeaway

This tragic crash highlights the importance of intersection safety and the need for continued efforts to identify and address factors that contribute to collisions, in order to protect all road users and prevent future loss of life.