Driver Trapped After Fiery Rollover Crash Succumbs To Injuries, Passenger In Serious Condition

Georgetown– The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 12:56 p.m., Friday, July 3, 2020, on Old Furnace Road east of Racoon Ditch Road, according to Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Heather Pepper.

Pepper said the initial investigation has determined a 2004 Jeep Cherokee, operated by a 64-year-old Seaford man, was traveling northbound on Old Furnace Road just south of Racoon Ditch Road. For unknown reasons, the vehicle failed to maintain its lane, crossed the southbound lanes, and partially exited the west edge of the road. The operator attempted to travel back onto the roadway and overcorrected. In an attempt to regain control of the vehicle, the operator again overcorrected, and the vehicle completely exited the west edge of the roadway. After exiting the road, the Cherokee struck a ditch causing it to overturn an undetermined number of times before coming to rest in a field. The vehicle then became fully engulfed and consumed in a fire.

The right-front passenger, a 71-year-old female from Seaford, was removed from the vehicle by a subject who stopped to assist before it became engulfed in flames. She was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance with serious injuries.

The operator of the vehicle was trapped in the vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification is pending notification of next of kin.

Old Furnace Road was closed between US 9 and Racoon Ditch Road for approximately 4 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Sgt. A. Mendez of the Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302- 703.3269.

Breaking Report

Georgetown – Rescue crews from the Georgetown Fire Company along with Trooper 2 have been dispatched to 16977 Old Furnace Road just west of Georgetown for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment.

Upon arrival, crews are reporting one person ejected and a second patient trapped in the vehicle. Both patients are seriously injured.

One ambulance has left the scene with one patient. The helicopter has been canceled.

State Police issued the following statement “TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Old Furnace Rd & Asbury Rd currently closed. Please use alternate routes of travel.”

Developing

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