Fatal ATV crash under investigation in Seaford

Troopers say they are looking into an all-terrain vehicle crash, that killed a Seaford man.

Delaware State Police say their preliminary investigation shows that the crash happened around 4:20 PM on Sunday, on a private farm field on Bethel Concord Road, in Seaford. According to the report, a 36-year-old Seaford man was riding a 2001 Polaris Sportsman 700 four wheel ATV, going north/west on a private farm field along a tax ditch, at the back of the property.

Police say it appears that the ground may have given way along the ditch, causing the ATV to roll to the right, down a 10 foot deep embankment. The quad apparently landed on top of the operator, who was found underneath the vehicle, at the bottom of the ditch, which had a very shallow amount of water. Police say the the operator was found on Monday evening, around 8:50 PM, and was not wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say that alcohol does appear to be a factor in the crash. The Delaware Division of Forensic Science reportedly removed the victim from the scene, and will be performing an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. Currently the name of the victim is being withheld, pending notification to his next of kin.

Police say traffic on Bethel Concord Road was not affected during this investigation, as the crash happened on private property. The Collision Reconstruction Unit is reportedly continuing their investigation into this incident.