Lewes residents injured in crash near Magnolia

Two Lewes residents were injured Feb. 24 following a car crash near Magnolia.

The crash happened about 7:25 p.m. when a Chrysler minivan traveling northbound on Route 1 south of Trap Shooters Road crossed over the grass median and entered the southbound lanes of Route 1, said Sgt. India Sturgis of the Delaware State Police.

The Chrysler crashed into a Mercedes GKL traveling southbound causing both vehicles to catch on fire, Sturgis said. A good Samaritan was able to safely remove the Mercedes driver, a Lewes man, 58, and passenger, a woman, 59, of Lewes, she said. The man and woman were taken to an area hospital were they were admitted - the man in critical condition, the woman for nonlife-threatening injuries.

There also were two dogs inside the Mercedes, one that died, Sturgis said. The Delaware Office of Animal Welfare has the other dog, she said.

The driver of the Chrysler was pronounced dead at the scene. Identification of the victim was still in progress at the time of this news release.

The roadway was closed for about three hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.