One Dead, Six To Hospital After Crash, One By Helicopter

Delmar – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate a two vehicle crash which claimed the life of an unidentified man yesterday evening east of Delmar, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey Hale.

Hale said the investigation at this point has determined that the crash occurred on Friday, August 4, 2017, at approximately 6:47 p.m., as Mario Martinez-Jimenez, 32, of Mexico, was operating a 2002 Ford Expedition and was traveling in a southbound direction on CR66 (Pepperbox Road), approaching a posted stop sign at the intersection of SR30 (Whitesville Road), approximately 3 miles east of Delmar. As the Expedition reached the intersection, Martinez-Jimenez failed to stop at the stop sign, according to Hale.

As a result, the left hand side of the Expedition was struck by the front of a 2011 Ford F-150, which was being operated by a 75-year-old Laurel man, and which was traveling in a westbound direction on Whitesville Road. The Ford Expedition was then forced off of the southwest corner of the intersection as it rotated in a clockwise direction and overturned onto its right hand side. The Ford F-150 also rotated in a counter-clockwise direction and exited the southwest corner of the intersection where it came to rest.

An unidentified rear seat male passenger in the Ford Expedition, who was not properly restrained at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s name will be released after positive identification is made and his next of kin is notified.

Mario Martinez-Jimenez, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was removed from the scene by ambulance and transported to the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he admitted with serious injuries. Impairment on the part of Martinez-Jimenez is being considered as a factor in the crash, according to Hale.

The 75-year-old operator of the Ford F-150, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was removed from the scene by ambulance and transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released.

A 28-year-old male passenger in the Ford Expedition was transported by ambulance to the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his non-life threatening injuries.

A 44-year-old male passenger in the Expedition was removed from the scene by Delaware State Police Aviation (Trooper 2) and flown to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center. He was subsequently flown to the Baltimore Shock Trauma Center where he was treated for his serious injuries.

A 34-year-old male passenger, as well as a 21-year-old male passenger in the Expedition, were both transported by ambulance to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center where they were admitted for their injuries.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police. Charges are expected.

The intersection of Pepperbox Road and Whitesville Road was closed for approximately four hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

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