A 23-year-old Lewes man died in a crash Sunday night on Coastal Highway that closed the roadway for almost 4 hours, Delaware State Police said.
The operator of the moped at about 10:45 p.m. Sunday was driving westbound on Lockerman Road approaching the intersection of North Coastal Highway, according to police.
Troopers said that for unknown reasons, the moped crossed over the southbound lanes of Coastal Highway and, despite “Do Not Enter” signage, began driving southbound in the left northbound lane of Coastal Highway, where there were vehicles already traveling northbound in that lane.
Police said an unknown vehicle swerved right to avoid hitting the moped, but the vehicle behind it − a Mazda operated by a 17-year-old boy from Lincoln − was unable to maneuver in time and hit the moped head-on.
TRAFFIC WARNINGHeading to New Jersey via the Delaware Memorial Bridge? Prepare for construction traffic
According to the statement from state troopers, the moped driver was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the site of the crash. His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The driver of the Mazda and his 17-year-old male passenger were both properly restrained, police said. They were taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and then released.
This incident is still being investigated by Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit. They are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to contact Corporal/3 K. Argo at 302-703-3264.
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