Port Penn, Delaware – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle that occurred west of Port Penn, according to Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz.
Bratz said the preliminary investigation has determined a motorcycle crash was reported today at 2:56 p.m., where a 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle Fat Boy Lo was operated by a 55-year-old male of Port Penn. He was traveling eastbound on Port Penn Road and was approaching a curve in the roadway where it intersects with Pole Bridge Road. Port Penn Road eastbound at this location has a gradual curve to the left before straightening out leading towards Port Penn. The operator failed to negotiate the curve in the roadway and traveled off of the south edge of the roadway. The motorcycle then entered into a ditch just west of a private driveway on Pole Bridge Road. The ditch ends abruptly at the west edge of this driveway and caused the motorcycle to become airborne. The motorcycle proceeded airborne across the private driveway and then landed in another ditch east of the private driveway. The operator, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected.
The operator, 55 of Port Penn, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Speed is considered a contributing factor at this time. Impairment is unknown at this time. The identification of the victim is pending notification of next of kin.
This collision was reported today by a nearby resident who discovered the collision. It is unknown at this time exactly when the collision occurred. There were intermittent roadway closures while the scene was investigated and cleared.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Cpl. J. Breen of the Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8486.
In our first report this afternoon we withheld the fact that this was a fatal accident to allow DSP time to investigate and notify the family.
Breaking Report
Middletown – Just before 3:00 this afternoon rescue crews from the Port Penn, Delaware City, and Odessa Fire Companies along with New Castle County Paramedics and Trooper 4 were dispatched to the 800 block of Port Penn Road for reports of a crash involving a motorcycle.
Early reports from the scene indicate that the crash involves a single motorcycle off the roadway.
It is very likely that Troopers will order the road closed for a lengthy period of time. Avoid the area.
Developing