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Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley


*UPDATE* Troopers Investigating Fatal Crash Old Furnace Road – Georgetown


Date Posted: Saturday, July 4th, 2020

Georgetown– The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 12:56 p.m., Friday, July 3, 2020, on Old Furnace Road east of Racoon Ditch Road.

The initial investigation has determined a 2004 Jeep Cherokee, operated by a 64-year-old Seaford, DE man, was traveling northbound on Old Furnace Road just south of Racoon Ditch Rd. For unknown reasons, the vehicle failed to maintain its lane, crossed the southbound lanes, and partially exited the west edge of the road. The operator attempted to travel back onto the roadway and overcorrected. In an attempt to regain control of the vehicle, the operator again overcorrected, and the vehicle completely exited the west edge of the roadway. After exiting the road, the Cherokee struck a ditch causing it to overturn an undetermined number of times before coming to rest in a field. The vehicle then became fully engulfed and consumed in a fire.

The right-front passenger, a 71-year-old female from Seaford, was removed from the vehicle by a subject who stopped to assist before it became engulfed in flames. She was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance with serious injuries.

The operator of the vehicle was trapped in the vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification is pending notification of next of kin.

Old Furnace Road was closed between US 9 and Racoon Ditch Road for approximately 4 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Sgt. A. Mendez of the Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302- 703.3269.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us. 

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Heather Pepper

Released:070420 0227

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