Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

Georgetown Volunteer Firefighter and Sussex County Employee Tragically Dies While Providing Aid at Crash Scene

Date Posted: Wednesday, August 14th, 2024

The Delaware State Police are investigating the tragic death of 23-year-old Thomas Berry III, a dedicated volunteer firefighter with the Georgetown and Ellendale Fire Companies and a valued Logistics Technician with Sussex County Emergency Medical Services.

On August 13, 2024, at approximately 4:24 p.m., a Chevrolet Malibu was driving eastbound on Lewes-Georgetown Highway west of Gravel Hill Road in Georgetown. At the same time, a Toyota Camry was driving eastbound in front of the Malibu. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Malibu was attempting to pass the Camry. When the Malibu re-entered the eastbound lane ahead of the Camry, the right side of the Malibu sideswiped the left side of the Camry. The Malibu then veered off the road and struck a utility pole.

After the crash, Firefighter Berry stopped to help the drivers involved. While helping the driver of the Malibu, the utility pole snapped, bringing down the electrical wires. As a result, Firefighter Berry sustained life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Division of Forensic Science will determine the official cause of death.

The driver of the Malibu, a 37-year-old man from Salisbury, Maryland, was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Camry, a 54-year-old woman from Milton, Delaware, was not injured during the crash.

Lewes-Georgetown Highway was closed for approximately 12 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit and Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continue to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective Z. Spudis by calling (302) 752-3795. 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.