Delaware State Police have identified the victim who died in a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred on November 11, 2022, in the Frankford area as Phillip Bratton, 28, of Frankford, Delaware.
Original Story
Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred during a police pursuit in the Frankford area last night, according to Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto.
DeMalto said on November 11, 2022, at approximately 8:43 p.m., a trooper on patrol in the Clarksville area observed a green 2000 Acura TL commit several moving traffic violations as it traveled westbound on Vines Creek Road west of Powell Farm Road. The trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the operator drove through the front yard of a residence, made a U-turn, and began fleeing eastbound on Vines Creek Road. The trooper began pursuing the vehicle as it turned onto westbound Roxana Road. The operator disregarded the trooper’s emergency lights and sirens and committed numerous moving violations as it traveled westbound at a high rate of speed. When the Acura reached the intersection of Roxana Road and Pyle Center Road, the operator disregarded the red traffic signal light and attempted to continue westbound. At this time, a 2020 Volvo tractor-trailer was traveling northbound on Pyle Center Road through the intersection, where it had a green light. The Acura subsequently struck the rear wheels of the trailer and became lodged underneath as it was dragged northbound. Both vehicles came to a stop just off the roadway north of the intersection.
The operator and sole occupant of the Acura, a 28-year-old Frankford, Delaware man was not properly restrained. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification of the victim is pending notification to the next of kin. The driver of the Volvo tractor trailer, a 37-year-old man from Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, was properly restrained and was not injured.
No other vehicles were involved in this incident. The intersection was closed for approximately five hours while the collision was investigated and cleared.
The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Sergeant J. Burns by calling 302-703-3269.