Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 1:11 p.m., Monday, January 17, 2021, on Hollyville Road south of Harmony Cemetery Road, according to Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell.
Hatchell said the initial investigation has determined a 2006 Jeep Liberty operated by a 17-year-old female of Frankford, was traveling northbound on Hollyville Road, approaching the intersection at Harmony Cemetery Road. At this time, a 2016 Freightliner flatbed truck was traveling southbound in the same vicinity. For unknown reasons, the operator of the Jeep lost control of the vehicle, crossed into the southbound lane, and began rotating in counterclockwise rotation, exposing the passenger side said Hatchell. The operator of the Freightliner, a 26-year-old male of Salisbury, MD, applied the brakes in an attempt to avoid a collision, but the front right of the truck struck the passenger side of the Jeep. After impact, the Jeep was forced off the west side of the roadway and came to a rest. The Freightliner was redirected off the west side of the roadway and struck a tree with its front right before coming to rest south of the impact.
The operator of the Jeep was transported to Beebe hospital and treated for minor injuries. There was a 13-year-old female front seat passenger also of Frankford, seated inside of the Jeep. The 13-year-old was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification of the victim is pending notification to the next of kin.
The roadway was closed for approximately 3.5 hours while the investigation was completed and the roadway was cleared.