A 17-year-old Middletown teen has died and several more were injured in a serious crash near Lewes.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, the crash occurred around 2:10 p.m., Friday as a 2012 Honda CR-V was traveling eastbound on Lewes-Georgetown Highway (Route 9), approaching the intersection at Ebb Tide Drive.
At the same time, police say a 2009 Ram 1500 was traveling westbound on Lewes-Georgetown Highway, crossing the intersection at Ebb Tide Drive. A non-contact vehicle was stopped eastbound waiting to turn left onto Ebb Tide Drive. A second non-contact vehicle was also slowing to a stop behind that vehicle.
The driver of the Honda failed to see the stopped traffic ahead, according to police, and in an attempt to avoid a collision, swerved left into the westbound lane.
The Ram also swerved towards the shoulder, to avoid the Honda, but the front of both vehicles struck in a near-head-on collision. After impact the Honda overturned and struck a utility pole before coming to rest off the roadway. The Ram came to rest in the same area as the impact.
There were five occupants inside of the Honda: An 18-year-old male of Bear, DE was flown to Christiana Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries; A 17-year-old female of Bear, DE was transported to Beebe Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries; An 18-year-old female of Wilmington, DE was flown to Christiana Hospital in critical condition; A 16-year-old female of Middletown, DE was flown to Christiana Hospital in critical condition; A 17-year-old male of Middletown, DE was transported to Beebe Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. Identification of the victim is pending notification to the next of kin.
The driver of the Honda has not been confirmed. This remains an active and on-going investigation.
The 77-year-old male operator of the Ram was treated and released at an area hospital for minor injuries.
The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours while the investigation was completed, and the roadway was cleared.
