Seaford – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that occurred east of Seaford late yesterday afternoon, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier.
Fournier said the incident occurred around 5:57 p.m. Friday June 30, 2017 as a 57-year-old Seaford man was operating a 1997 Jeep Wrangler eastbound on Tharp Road approaching a sharp left curve at the intersection of Pineview Road.
Due to an unsafe rate of speed, the operator was unable to maintain control of the vehicle while rounding the curve, said Fournier. As a result, the entire vehicle exited the south side of roadway into a grass yard while sliding in a counter-clockwise direction. The Jeep then re-entered the roadway and began to slide in a clockwise direction before traveling back off the south side of roadway where it overturned in the grass ejecting the operator, according to Fournier. The Jeep then came to a stop on top of the driver, trapping him underneath.
The 57-year-old operator, who was not properly restrained, was extricated from under the overturned vehicle before being transported to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead, said Fournier.
The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. It is unknown at this time if alcohol was a contributing factor.
Tharp Road was closed for approximately three hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.