Laurel – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit has identified the man killed in on Christmas Day.
The incident was reported on Wednesday, December 25, 2019, at approximately 5:02 p.m., when a Ford F-150 pickup truck was traveling northbound on Fire Tower Road at a high rate of speed was attempting to negotiate a moderate left curve.
Troopers say the vehicle failed to maintain the curve causing the right-side tires to exit the east edge of the roadway into the grass. The pickup truck then struck a large standing tree head-on. The impact caused the tree to penetrate completely through the engine compartment and into the 2nd-row seating area, trapping 67-year-old Michael R. Thiel of Seaford, He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The vehicle then burst into flames upon impact and was completely consumed by fire. Due to the catastrophic nature of the accident, Troopers investigating the accident were initially unable to obtain the VIN number or registration. Through investigation, they were later able to identify Thiel as the driver, according to authorities.
Fire Tower Road in the area of the crash was closed for approximately 2.5 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.
The crash continues to remain under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit. Please call Troop 5 Bridgeville at 302-337-1090 for any information about this crash.