Ellendale – The Delaware State Police are investigating a serious crash that occurred on Beach Highway, early Friday morning, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.
Jaffe said the incident occurred at approximately 1:02 a.m., Friday, January 12, 2018 as a 21-year-old male was operating a 2002 Nissan Altima eastbound on Beach Highway (SR16). The operator was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed as he approached a moderate curve in the roadway, according to Jaffe. The operator failed to maintain the curve causing the vehicle to exit the edge of the roadway and strike a utility pole. After striking the pole, the vehicle began to flip several times, causing the unrestrained operator to be ejected. The vehicle came to a rest on its wheels in an open farm field.
The operator was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Beebe Medical Center before being transferred to the Christiana Hospital where he remains in critical condition.
The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Alcohol and a high rate of speed is considered to be a factor on behalf of the operator, said Jaffe.
SR 16 approximately .58 miles west of Reynolds Pond Road was closed for approximately 4 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.
