UPDATE: Route 1 re-opened after fatal crash in Milford
A Harrington man was killed during a two vehicle crash in Milford on Tuesday morning, Police continue to investigate.
Delaware State Police say the Milford Police Department asked the DSP Collision Reconstruction Unit to take over an investigation into a fatal two vehicle crash. The incident apparently happened around 7:15 AM on Tuesday, on the southbound Milford Bypass – Route 1, at Northeast Front Street Extension.
According to the report, 58-year-old Mario Nelson was driving a 2010 Toyota Corolla eastbound on North East Front Street Ext. coming up to a stop sign at the intersection with the Milford Bypass – Route 1. At the same time, Police say 35-year-old Melissa Mallet, of Magnolia, was driving a 2013 Lincoln MKZ southbound on Route 1, in the left lane.
Investigators say for unknown reasons, the Corolla continued through the stop sign, and made its way into the intersection, where it was hit on the driver’s side, by the MKZ. Police say the two vehicles then rotated, with the Corolla ending up in the grassy median, and the MKZ on the edge of eastbound Route 1.
Nelson was apparently wearing a seat belt, and was pronounced dead at the scene. His 29-year-old daughter, was reportedly wearing her seat belt in the passenger’s seat, and was airlifted from the scene by Delaware State Police Aviation to Christiana Medical Center, where she is currently admitted with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police say Mallet, and her 14-year-old son were both wearing their seat belts. She was removed from the scene by EMS, and taken to Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital, where she was admitted with non-life-threatening injuries, while her son was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and released.
Officials say Route 1 southbound was closed at NE 10th Street for around four hours, while the crash was investigated, and cleared. The Collision Reconstruction Unit says they are continuing their investigation into the incident, but say that alcohol and speed don’t appear to be contributing factors to the collision.
