DSP News Release: Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash Hartly

Location:

·         Halltown Road East of Hourglass Road, Southwest of Hartly, Delaware

Date of Occurrence:

·         Saturday, April 23, 2011 1:22 p.m.

Operators/Vehicles:

·         Operator#1:  Franklin R. Meadows, 76, Hartly, DE

·         Vehicle#1:  1999 Chevrolet Conversion Van

·         Operator#2:  John M. Deane Jr., 47, Wyoming, DE

·         Vehicle#2: 2011 Chevrolet Equinox

Resume

Hartly-The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating a motor vehicle crash in which one person died and two were injured this afternoon on Halltown Road, East of Hourglass Road, Hartly, Delaware.

The crash occurred at approximately 1:22 p.m. this afternoon as Franklin R. Meadows, 76, of Hartly, DE was operating a 1999 Chevrolet Conversion Van and was travelling eastbound on Halltown Road, east of Hourglass Road.  Meadow’s vehicle crossed over into the westbound lane of Halltown Road into the path of a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox being operated by John M. Deane Jr., 47, of Wyoming, DE, resulting in a head on collision.

The force of the impact caused the Chevrolet Conversion Van to overturn onto its driver’s side and the Chevrolet Equinox to overturn, landing on its roof.  All occupants were trapped in the vehicles and extricated by Hartly Fire Company Firefighters and EMS.

Franklin R. Meadows sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.  His body was turned over to the medical examiner’s office where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.  A 70 year old Hartly, DE woman, who was a passenger in Meadow’s vehicle was transported to Kent General Hospital and admitted in stable condition.

John M. Deane Jr. was transported to Kent General Hospital and later transferred to the Christiana Hospital Trauma Center, where he was admitted in serious condition.

The roadway was closed for approximately three hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.  Preliminary information revealed that all occupants were wearing seatbelts.  The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate.

Released:  042311 9:00 p.m.