Millsboro – The Delaware State Police are continuing to investigate a fatal crash north of Millsboro that took the life of an 8-month-old child, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier.
Fournier said the incident occurred around 11:38 a.m. Wednesday September 13, 2017 as a 40-year-old Laurel man was operating a 2006 Kia Optima westbound on Betts Pond Road approaching a moderate right curve at the intersection of Delaware Avenue.
A 54-year-old Dagsboro man was operating a 2004 Mack CV7 Dump Truck loaded with concrete sand eastbound on Betts Pond Road approaching the same curve. Due to apparent excessive speed and the wet roadway the Kia failed to negotiate the curve and crossed into the eastbound travel lane directly in front of the dump truck, according to Fournier. The operator of the truck attempted to steer right, but was unable to avoid the Kia and struck it head-on, said Fournier.
Troopers say the 8-months-old was initially transported by EMS to Beebe Healthcare in Lewes, according to Fournier. She was later transferred to A.I. DuPont Hospital where she died as a result of her injuries on Sunday September 17, 2017.
The 40-year-old operator of the Kia was properly restrained and transported by EMS to Beebe Healthcare where he was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries.
The 54-year-old dump truck driver was uninjured.
The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. No charges have been filed at this time. Alcohol and drugs are not a factor in this crash. Betts Pond Road eastbound and westbound at Delaware Avenue were closed for approximately four hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.