The Newark Police Department’s newest canine, Luto, graduated from initial training yesterday during a ceremony held by the Delaware State Police.  K-9 Luto and his handler, PFC Spencer, completed 12 weeks of training with the Delaware State Police Canine Unit.

The training consisted of dog obedience, agility, tracking, building searches, suspect apprehension and officer protection.

PFC Spencer and his K-9 partner will return for further training early next year to learn to detect bombs and other explosive devices.

The Newark Police Department Traffic Unit is continuing to investigate a crash which now involves a fatality between a DART bus and a passenger car, which occurred at approximately 6:43 a.m. on Wednesday December 5, 2018 in the intersection of South College Avenue (SR 896) and West Chestnut Hill Road.

The initial investigation has determined that a 2003 Chrysler Sebring, operated by a 55-year-old male from Newark, was traveling eastbound on West Chestnut Hill Road and entered into the intersection of South College Avenue on a green light intending to continue straight through the intersection.

A 2014 DART bus, operated by a 54-year-old female from Wilmington, was traveling westbound on Old Chestnut Hill Road. The bus entered the intersection of South College Avenue on a green light intending to turn southbound on South College Avenue, when it turned left into the path of the Chrysler Sebring. The two vehicles collided head on.

The operator of the Chrysler Sebring, identified as 55-year-old Thomas Polis of Newark, was transported by ambulance to Christiana Hospital with life threatening injuries. Mr. Polis later succumbed to his injuries.

The operator of the DART bus was not injured. Six passengers from the DART bus were transported to the hospital for possible injuries.

Impairment of both operators is not being considered a factor in this investigation.

The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed at this point in the investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Cpl. Robert Vernon at 302-366-7100 ext. 3452 or RVernon@newark.de.us

**Correction to the initial release, all patients were transported to area hospitals by ambulance, the helicopter was not utilized. **

Original Post: Serious Crash Involving DART Bus; Road to be Closed for Investigation

Update #1: Update #1: Serious Crash Involving DART Bus; Road to be Closed for Investigation