Tree falls on SUV, killing elderly woman during storm in Delaware

In Wilmington, Delaware, a severe thunderstorm led to a tragic incident on the night of June 30, 2025. Around 10:08 p.m., a tree fell onto a Lexus RX SUV traveling in the right westbound lane of Lancaster Pike. The driver, a 79-year-old man from Newark, attempted to evade the falling tree but was unable to avoid a collision, resulting in the tree striking the front of the vehicle. Tragically, the elderly male driver suffered serious injuries during the crash, while his 79-year-old female passenger, also from Newark, was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Delaware State Police, the identities of both victims are being withheld pending notification of their families. Witnesses are being encouraged to provide any information related to the incident, as the crash remains under investigation. The severe weather conditions that led to this fatal event have raised concerns about the safety risks associated with storms in the region. Meteorologists had warned that the storm was part of a dangerous weather pattern affecting the Eastern Seaboard. Reports indicated that as the tropical conditions intensified, residents were urged to remain cautious. In addition to the fallen tree incident, the storm also resulted in severe rainfall that caused flash flood emergencies in areas of southeastern Pennsylvania. As the storm progressed, it was reported that more than 30 million Americans faced threats from damaging winds and flooding across the I-95 corridor, covering major cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia. The National Weather Service confirmed that a weak tornado had touched down earlier on the same day, causing localized damage. However, the primary focus remained on the severe thunderstorms and their impact, which included travel disruptions due to flight cancellations in major airports along the I-95 corridor. Authorities are currently addressing the aftermath of these dangerous weather conditions while the Delaware State Police continue their investigation into the fatal crash. They also provide assistance to the victims' families through their Victim Services Unit, which offers 24-hour support via their hotline. The unfolding events point to the critical need for increased public awareness regarding safe practices during severe weather, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly.