The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal accident that occurred early this morning in Milton.

On March 23, 2023, at approximately 6:47 a.m., a 2022 Ford Escort was traveling east on State Route 5 (Union Street Extended) approaching the posted stop sign at the intersection with State Route 1 (Coastal Highway). At the same time, a 2011 Ford Fiesta was traveling southbound on State Route 1 approaching the intersection with State Route 5. For unknown reasons, the driver of the Escort failed to remain stopped at the stop sign, and he drove into the southbound lanes of Route 1 as he attempted to cross the highway to turn northbound. As a result, the front of the Fiesta struck the left rear of the Escort. This caused the Escort to begin spinning until it struck a fence off the east side of the northbound lanes of Route 1. The Fiesta also began rotating on the road, which led to a 2005 Honda Accord striking the Fiesta in the middle of the southbound lanes.

The driver of the Escort, an 81-year-old man from Millsboro, Delaware, was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The passenger in the Escort, a 75-year-old woman from Millsboro, Delaware, was also taken by ambulance to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Accord, a 32-year-old man from Hartly, Delaware, was not injured.

The driver of the Fiesta, a 30-year-old woman from Clayton, Delaware, was critically injured in the crash. She was taken to an area hospital but later died from her injuries. Identification of the victim is pending notification to her family and relatives.

Both the northbound and southbound lanes of Route 1 were closed for approximately 3.5 hours while the scene 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 Senior Corporal R. Albert by calling 302-703-3266. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need 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 at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 032323  1354

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