Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty



State Police Investigating a Single-Vehicle Fatal Crash Near Georgetown

Date Posted: Friday, April 24th, 2026



Graphic titled “Fatal Crash Investigation” featuring a Delaware State Police patrol vehicle near surveying equipment used to investigate fatal crashes and a drone overlaid in the left foreground. A silhouette map of Delaware appears on the left, the text “BecomeATrooper.com” on the bottom center, and social media icons are shown at the bottom right corner.

The Delaware State Police continue to investigate a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred last week near Georgetown.

On April 17, 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Ford Explorer was traveling southbound on Dupont Boulevard north of McColley’s Chapel Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Explorer gradually exited the west edge of the road where it struck a mailbox, road sign, and a large embankment. After the collision, the Explorer caught fire and the unresponsive driver was pulled from the vehicle by bystanders, who began life saving efforts.

The driver, 81-year-old Michael Jeffra, of Georgetown, Delaware, was originally believed to have experienced a medical emergency prior to the crash and taken to an area hospital where he died. Further investigation revealed that he died as a result of injuries he received in the crash.

Dupont Boulevard was closed for approximately 2 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

Delaware State Police Troop 5 continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Corporal Grade One K. Marvel by calling DSP Troop 5 at (302) 232-3435. 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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