Three people were killed in a crash on Christmas Eve when their minivan pulled into the path of an SUV on Route 9 near Lewes, according to Delaware State Police.
The accident happened at 7:59 p.m. when a 2008 Honda Odyssey, which was traveling south on Minos Conaway Road, attempted to turn left onto Lewes-Georgetown Highway (Route 9) and was struck by a westbound 2016 Land Rover, police said.
Three of the seven occupants of the Honda were thrown from the vehicle in the collision and pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Police identified them as a 74-year-old man from Lewes and a 35-year-old woman and a 9-year-old girl, both from Temple, Pennsylvania. Their names have not been released pending notifications to the next of kin.
The Honda driver, a 42-year-old man from Temple, Pennsylvania, was taken to an area hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. Three other passengers − a 12-year-old boy, a 4-year-old boy and a 67-year-old woman − were also taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
The driver of the Land Rover left the scene on foot following the crash and has not been identified, police said.
The intersection was closed for four hours while police investigated the crash.
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Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident and has asked witnesses of this collision to contact Master Corporal K. Argo by calling 302-703-3264. Information can also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
The three fatalities from Saturday’s crash are the state’s 161st, 162nd and 163rd traffic deaths this year bringing the total just shy of the 1988 record high of 165, according to the Delaware Department of Transportation.
Contact reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com or 302-379-5786 with tips and story ideas.
