Bear- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a single vehicle fatal crash which occurred early this morning in Bear, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale.
Hale said that he initial investigation has determined that the crash happened at approximately 12:17 a.m. this morning, Friday, March 24, 2017, as Donald W. Shaw, III, 31, of Bear, was operating a 1999 Chevrolet 2500 and was traveling in a northbound direction on DE Rt. 896 (Summit Bridge Road), just north of Red Lion Road.
For an unknown reason, the Chevrolet drifted off of the right hand side of the roadway and partially onto a grass embankment, said Hale. Shaw attempted to re-enter the roadway by steering the car to the left, however, he over-corrected which caused the vehicle to rotate clockwise and then overturn. As the Chevrolet was overturning, it struck a road sign and then came to rest in the right hand northbound lane of Rt. 896 on it’s passenger side, according to Hale.
Donald Shaw, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, was partially ejected and was pinned under the vehicle. He was declared dead at the scene. It is unknown if alcohol or drug use was a factor in this crash at this time. There were no other occupants in the Chevrolet.
The northbound lanes of Summit Bridge Road were closed for approximately 3.5 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.
This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police.