Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred in Magnolia yesterday evening.
Officials said on February 24, 2023, at approximately 7:25 p.m., a Chrysler minivan, operated by an unidentified driver, was traveling northbound on Bay Road just south of Trap Shooters Road. At the same time, a Mercedes GKL was traveling southbound on Bay Road just south of Trap Shooters Road. For unknown reasons, the Chrysler exited the west edge of the roadway and entered the grass median. The vehicle then entered the southbound lanes of Bay Road, causing a slightly offset head-on collision with the Mercedes police said Saturday. Both vehicles caught fire as a result of the impact. A good Samaritan was able to safely remove the driver and passenger from the Mercedes.
All occupants were wearing their seatbelts. The driver of the Chrysler was pronounced dead at the scene. Identification of the victim is still in progress. The driver of the Mercedes, a 58-year-old man from Lewes, was transported to Christiana Hospital by helicopter, where he was admitted in critical condition. The passenger of the Mercedes, a 59-year-old woman from Lewes, was also transported to an area hospital, where she was admitted for non-life-threatening injuries. Police said that one of two dogs inside the Mercedes died in the collision. Delaware Office of Animal Welfare responded to the scene to take possession of both dogs.
The roadway was closed for approximately three hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.