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Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley


**Final Update** Troopers Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash – North Dover


Date Posted: Sunday, June 19th, 2016

Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

North Dover – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash that occurred Saturday evening north of Dover.

The incident occurred around 6:23 p.m. Saturday June 18, 2016 as Rod Zarafshar, 20 of McLean, Virginia, was operating a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Lewis Drive approaching Dyke Branch Road. Robert J. Falcone, 37 of Dover was operating a 2008 Ford F250 pick-up truck westbound on Dyke Branch Road approaching the same intersection.  The intersection is controlled by a stop sign for the north and southbound traffic on Lewis Drive and Dyke Branch Road has the right of way.  The Jeep failed to stop for the stop sign and entered into the intersection and into the path of the westbound pick-up truck which struck the Jeep on the passenger’s side.  Upon impact, both vehicles rotated in the roadway before coming to a stop on the northwest corner of the intersection.

A front seat passenger, Hunter B. Watson, 20 of McLean, Virginia, was properly restrained and pronounced dead at the scene.

Rod Zarafshar was properly restrained and airlifted to Christiana Medical Center where he was admitted with undetermined injuries.

Robert Falcone was properly restrained and transported by EMS to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this case.  Dyke Branch Road at Lewis Drive was closed for approximately four hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Released: 061916 0905

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