Delaware State Police have identified the two victims who died during a Sunday night fatal motor-vehicle crash on Irish Hill Road as Cheryl Hagens-Brandl, 36, of Magnolia and Christopher A. Tunis, 18, of Milford.
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Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 6:02 p.m., Sunday, February 6, 2022, on Irish Hill Road west of Blaine Drive, according to Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell.
Hatchell said the initial investigation has determined a 2007 Hyundai Accent, operated by a 36-year-old Magnolia woman, was traveling eastbound on Irish Hill Road, west of Blaine Drive in Felton. At this time, a 2010 Toyota Corolla, operated by an 18-year-old Milford man, was traveling westbound on Irish Hill Road approaching the same location as the Hyundai.
The Toyota was traveling directly behind a large pick-up truck as both vehicles approached. The Toyota entered the eastbound travel lane attempting to legally pass the truck but pulled directly into the path of the Hyundai said Hatchell.
Both vehicles attempted to avoid striking each other by exiting off the south edge of roadway, but the vehicles ultimately struck head-on as a result. After impact, both vehicles were forced in a southwesterly direction both rotating slightly clockwise and came to rest in a field off of the roadway.
The 36-year-old Magnolia female operator of the Hyundai was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification of the victim is pending notification to the next of kin. There were two other passengers inside of the Hyundai that were transported to BayHealth-Kent Campus and treated for their injuries.
The 18-year-old Milford male operator of the Toyota was transported to BayHealth-Kent Campus where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. Identification of the victim is pending notification to the next of kin. There was one passenger inside of the Toyota that was transported to BayHealth-Kent Campus and treated for her injuries.
Hatchell said that the two patients that died were not properly retrained.
The roadway was closed for approximately 3.5 hours while the investigation was completed, and the roadway was cleared.