Andrea Reyes Castellanos left her home in Honduras to pursue a college degree in the United States. At 23 years old, she was building her future as a student at Washington Adventist University. That journey ended unexpectedly on a highway in Sussex County, Delaware.
Andrea was riding in a Toyota Camry driven by her friend, 19-year-old Blem Lopez of Millsboro. The pair were traveling eastbound on Seashore Highway around 12:40 p.m. on Friday, September 11. As they approached Oak Road near Bridgeville, their car crossed over the center line into oncoming traffic.
A Peterbilt dump truck was heading west along the same stretch of Route 404. The Camry struck the front of the truck head-on. The heavy crash tore apart the sedan and caused the dump truck to burst into flames in the middle of the road.
A second commercial vehicle was following right behind the dump truck. The driver of that tractor-trailer saw the collision happen right in front of him. He steered off the road into a ditch to avoid the fire and debris, coming to a stop without injury.
Rescuers arrived to find a scene of heavy damage and fire. Blem Lopez died instantly in the driver seat. First responders lifted Andrea from the wrecked car and rushed her by ambulance to a nearby emergency room. Doctors worked to stabilize her, but she died from her injuries at the hospital.
The 58-year-old Maryland man driving the dump truck went to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Back on campus at Washington Adventist University, the loss of two students brought profound sorrow. Classmates and staff held quiet gatherings to honor Andrea and Blem.
Investigators are trying to determine why the sedan drifted into the opposite lane. Master Corporal K. Argo of the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is leading the investigation. Police are asking any witnesses with information or dashcam video to come forward and assist officers with the case.
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