Catherine Spanos Obituary, Death – Authorities have confirmed the identity of the woman who lost her life in a collision at Rittenhouse Park as 46-year-old Catherine Spanos, a resident of Newark. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. on Saturday along the gravel road leading from West Chestnut Hill Road to the parking area of the park, as reported by Lt. Andrew Rubin, a spokesperson for the Newark Police Department.
Officers were dispatched to the park following reports of a dispute among individuals, and upon their arrival, they discovered a Ford F-150 pickup truck that had collided with a tree. Inside the vehicle, they found Spanos deceased in the rear seat. The driver had fled the scene prior to the officers’ arrival. “Initial investigations indicated that the vehicle was exiting the park at a high rate of speed when, for reasons yet to be determined, it veered off the gravel road and struck a tree,” Rubin stated.
On Monday, Rubin announced that the police have identified the individual who was operating the truck; however, his name has not been released to the public. No charges have been filed at this time, but the investigation is ongoing.
According to regulations, Newark parks are closed from dusk until dawn. Rittenhouse Park features an automated gate that restricts access at night, but Rubin noted that it remains unclear whether the gate was operational or how the truck managed to enter the park.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to reach out to Cpl. Robert Vernon at 302-366-7100, ext. 3452, or via email at rvernon@newark.de.us.
