Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred Saturday afternoon in Dover.
According to investigators, the crash happened on September 20, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Dyke Branch Road, west of Wheel of Fortune Road. A Honda Accord was traveling eastbound toward a moderate curve, while a Volvo S40 was approaching from the westbound direction. Authorities said that the Honda failed to remain in its lane and crossed into the westbound lane. The driver of the Volvo attempted to avoid the crash by swerving into the eastbound lane. At that point, the Honda re-entered the lane, leading to a head-on impact between the two vehicles.
Police reported that the driver of the Honda, identified as 70-year-old Bradford Pearce of Dover, was not wearing a seatbelt. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The driver of the Volvo, a 16-year-old male from Dover, was wearing a seatbelt and sustained minor injuries. He was taken to a hospital for treatment. His passenger, a 45-year-old woman from Dover, was also transported for non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.
Officials stated that Dyke Branch Road was closed for approximately three and a half hours while members of the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit conducted their investigation and cleared the scene. The case remains under investigation.
