The Delaware State Police are actively investigating a fatal hit-and-run collision that occurred in the early hours of Monday morning, on Wheatleys Pond Road in Smyrna. The incident resulted in the death of a 71-year-old man from Henderson, Maryland.
According to the preliminary investigation, at approximately 2:06 a.m., a green 2012 Ford F-150 was traveling eastbound on Wheatleys Pond Road, west of Bryn-Zion Road. At the same time, a black 2011 Lincoln Town Car was moving in the opposite direction, traveling westbound on the same road. Officials said it’s unclear at this time as to which vehicle crossed the centerline causing the right front side of the Ford to impact with the right front side of the Lincoln on the southern part of the eastbound lane.
Following the collision, the Lincoln veered in a southeasterly direction while rotating clockwise and eventually rolled onto its driver’s side. The vehicle came to a stop in the westbound lane, where it became fully engulfed in flames. The Ford, after the impact, was propelled in a northeasterly direction while rotating counterclockwise. It subsequently exited the roadway and collided with a utility pole before coming to rest in the roadside grass.
The driver of the Lincoln was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The driver of the Ford F-150 left the scene and remains unidentified police said.
The roadway was closed for approximately four hours to facilitate the investigation and clear the scene. The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit is leading the ongoing investigation. Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Master Corporal W. Booth at 302-698-8451.