One teen dies, two critically injured in Route 9 crash near Lewes
Story Location:
18042 Ebb Tide Drive
Harbeson, DE 19958
United States
A Middletown teen died and two other teens were flown to Christiana Hospital in critical condition April 15 after a serious traffic collision on Route 9 near Lewes.
The crash happened at 2:10 p.m., when a 2012 Honda CR-V was traveling eastbound on Route 9 approaching the intersection at Ebb Tide Drive where one vehicle was stopped in the eastbound lane waiting to turn left onto Ebb Tide Drive, and a second vehicle was slowing down to stop behind it, said Sr. Cpl. Jason Hatchell of the Delaware State Police.
The Honda failed to stop with the vehicles ahead, Hatchell said, and attempted to avoid a collision by swerving into the westbound lane. At the same time, he said, a 2009 Ram 1500 was traveling westbound on Route 9 at Ebb Tide Drive and it swerved toward the shoulder to avoid the Honda, but the front of both vehicles struck in a near-head-on collision. After impact, Hatchell said, 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 teens inside the Honda. Dakhyi Floyd, 17, of Middletown was transported to Beebe Healthcare where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. An 18-year-old female of Wilmington and a Middletown girl, 16, were flown to Christiana Hospital in critical condition. An 18-year-old male from Bear was flown to Christiana Hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. A 17-year-old Bear girl was taken to Beebe Healthcare where she was treated for nonlife-threatening injuries.
At this time, Hatcell said, the operator of the Honda has not been confirmed. The 77-year-old male driver of the Ram was treated at an area hospital for minor injuries and released.
The roadway was closed for about three hours during the investigation.
This collision remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has any information is asked to contact Corporal/1 Smith at 302-703-3267. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or at delawarecrimestoppers.com.
