Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal bicycle accident that occurred Friday night in Newark according to Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell.
Hatchell said on February 18, 2022, at approximately 10:12 p.m., a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling southbound Salem Church Road south of Adel Drive. At this time, a 30-year-old male of Elkton, Maryland was riding his bicycle in the middle of the southbound lane of Salem Church Road.
As the Chevrolet approached the bicyclist from the rear, the operator attempted to maneuver around the bicyclist to pass him from the northbound lane. As the Chevrolet initiated the lane change, the bicyclist also veered to the left, which resulted in the right front of the Chevrolet striking the bicycle and ejecting its operator into the northbound lane said Hatchell. After the collision, the operator of the Chevrolet lost control of his vehicle and traveled off the roadway and struck a road sign. The Chevrolet then continued out of control back into the roadway and traveled across both the north and southbound lanes before striking a tree for its final resting place.
The 30-year-old male bicyclist was transported to Christiana hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. Identification of the victim is pending notification to next of kin.
The 20-year-old male operator of the Chevrolet was not injured in this collision.
Salem Church Rd between Adel Drive and Old Baltimore Pike was closed to vehicular traffic for approximately 3 hours while the collision was investigated, and roadway cleared.
