Child killed in six-vehicle crash on Route 1

Credit: Metro file photo

Delaware State Police are investigating a six-vehicle crashon Route 1that claimed the life of a 7-year-old child Monday night.

Investigators said the incident occurred around 10 p.m. about one mile north of Smyrna, when several vehicles traveling north slowed while approaching traffic near a lane that was closed due to construction.

Police said a 2004 International truck traveling north in the right lane failed to properly slow down and rear-ended a 2013 Mazda 3, sending the car off the east side of the roadway and into the grass.

The truck then continued north and struck four other vehicles before coming to a stop, according to authorities.

The driver of the Mazda, 42-year-old Eileen Kosc, of Wilmington, was taken to Christiana Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

One passenger in her car, 7-year-old Bryan Kosc, died at the hospital, while a second, 12-year-old Brandon Kosc, was taken to Alfred I. DuPont Hospital in stable condition.

The driver of the International truck, Bryan Hughes, 28, of Greenwood, was not injured.

The drivers of the four other vehicles involved in the crash were all taken to Christiana Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police have identified those victims as Anthony Tuskweth, 32, of Wilmington, who was driving a 2006 Dodge Sprinter; Syreeta Brock, 34, of Wilmington, who was driving a 2006 Infiniti G35; Susan Gervais, 45, of Chesapeake City, Md., who was driving a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta; and Monet Dowers, 24, of Trenton, N.J., who was driving a 2003 Saturn Ion.

The state police Collision Reconstruction Unit was on Tuesday continuing to investigate the crash, but authorities said all victims were wearing seatbelts and that alcohol did not appear to be a contributing factor.

No charges were filed Tuesday in connection with the incident.