Purnell Collins Obituary, Death – Delaware State Police have identified the victim of a fatal crash near Blades as 58-year-old Purnell Collins of Seaford. The deadly accident happened late Saturday, September 6, after Collins’s pickup truck crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with two other vehicles.
Troopers reported that the chain of events began around 11 p.m. on Seaford Road when officers attempted to stop a Chevrolet Silverado for a registration violation. According to police, the truck was displaying an expired temporary tag. Instead of pulling over, the driver—later confirmed as Collins—sped away northbound on the roadway.
As he fled, Collins’s vehicle crossed into the southbound lanes. His Silverado then slammed head-on into a Ford F-150 pickup that was waiting in the left turn lane as Seaford Road transitions into Market Street. The violent impact caused significant damage to both trucks and triggered a secondary collision when the F-150 was pushed into the path of a Chevrolet Camaro traveling directly behind it.
Authorities said Collins was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police later confirmed his identity and notified his family.
The driver of the Ford F-150, a 34-year-old man from Laurel, was wearing his seatbelt. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated for injuries described as non-life-threatening. He has since been released. The Camaro driver, a 20-year-old man from Delmar, Maryland, also had his seatbelt on and declined medical treatment after the crash.
Investigators with the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit were called to the site and spent several hours analyzing the circumstances of the crash. Market Street was closed for roughly five hours during the investigation and cleanup efforts. The closure caused traffic delays in the area, but the roadway was eventually reopened once debris was cleared and the scene documented.
Troopers continue to review all factors that may have contributed to the crash, including the attempted traffic stop that preceded it. At this time, impairment has not been publicly confirmed as a factor, but the investigation remains active. Police emphasized that seatbelt use played a key role in the survival of the other drivers involved, contrasting sharply with the outcome for Collins, who was unrestrained.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has additional information to reach out to Master Corporal K. Argo of Troop 7 by calling (302) 703-3264. Witness statements, along with any possible video evidence from vehicles in the area, could help finalize the investigation.
The tragic crash highlights the dangers of fleeing from a traffic stop and the severe risks associated with driving unrestrained. Police continue to stress that traffic violations, even minor ones, can escalate into life-threatening situations when drivers fail to comply with law enforcement instructions.
