WILMINGTON, DE – A driver thought he was helpfully waving on a pedestrian. The seemingly kind gesture cost the young woman her life.
Allie Rose Zambito was attempting to cross an intersection in a construction zone at Faulkland Road and Newport Gap Pike in Wilmington, Delaware, June 21. The driver of what state police called the first vehicle was stopped at the red light at Newport Gap Pike. The light was red for both pedestrians and southbound traffic, according to Delaware State Police.
The driver waived Zambito on, not realizing northbound traffic had a green light. Zambito stepped out into the northbound lane to cross and was struck by a Ford E-350 passenger van.
The driver of that van, a 45-year-old unidentified male from Pennsylvania, was traveling with four female teenagers, ages 15-17. He immediately pulled over to the shoulder.
“He was wearing his seatbelt. The vehicle was also occupied by four teenage females, ranging from ages 15 to 17 years old. They were returning to their residence in Pennsylvania. No injuries reported. Neither speed nor alcohol on the part of the driver was deemed contributing factors in this collision investigation,” Delaware State Police said.
Zambito was pronounced dead at the scene.
State police did not release any details about the driver who waived her on.
Zambito was to have celebrated her 24th birthday June 22, according to an online obituary from Thos. L. Shinn Funeral Home in Manahawkin.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she resided and had a summer job in Barnegat Light. She was a 2017 graduate from High Point University in exercise medicine and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, as well as a member of the school’s field hockey team and exercise science club. She earned a master’s degree in anatomy and clinical health sciences from the University of Delaware, and was finishing up her doctorate from that school in physical therapy.
