Seaford – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m., Monday, November 13, 2017 at the intersection of Wesley Church Road (CR 561) and Cannon Road (SR 18), according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.
Jaffe said the investigation has determined that a 1997 Nissan Sentra operated by a 31-year-old female from Seaford was traveling southbound on Wesley Church Road approaching the intersection at Cannon Road. A 2017 Ford Escape operated by a 72-year-old male from Bridgeville was traveling eastbound on Cannon Road, approaching the intersection at Wesley Church Road.
Wesley Church Road is controlled by a posted stop sign and Cannon Road is a through-way. Additionally, Wesley Church Road is equipped with a flashing red beacon, and multiple sets of rumble strips precede the stop bar/stop sign. As the two vehicles converged, the Sentra for unknown reasons failed to stop at the stop sign, entering the intersection directly into the path of the Escape, said Jaffe. As a result, the front center of the Escape struck the right side of the Sentra within the intersection.
After impact, both vehicles were redirected in a southeasterly direction, exiting the roadway. The Sentra overturned onto its roof, coming to rest against a steel light pole, facing north. The Escape rotated clockwise and came to rest in front of the Sentra, also facing north.
The operator of the Sentra who was wearing a seatbelt, was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released with non-life threatening injuries. The right front passenger in the Sentra, a 51-year-old male from Florida, who was also wearing his seatbelt was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The operator of the Escape who was wearing his seatbelt was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was treated and later transferred and admitted to Peninsula Reginal Medical Center in Salisbury.
The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Alcohol and drugs are not contributing factors in this case, said Jaffe.
The intersection of Wesley Church Road and Cannon Road was closed for approximately 3.5 hours during the investigation.
If anyone has information regarding this incident they are asked to please contact the Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit at 302-703-3269. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com