Elderly Woman Dies after Truck Crashes Into Fenwick Pizzeria
FENWICK ISLAND, Del. – An elderly woman was killed after a pickup truck crashed into a Fenwick Island pizzeria on Friday evening.
At 5:00 p.m. on Aug. 14, crews with the Bethany Beach and Roxana Volunteer Fire Companies responded to a motor vehicle crash into a building with entrapment in the 900 block of Coastal Highway. Arriving units confirmed that a Honda truck had struck the front of Mancini’s Brick Oven Pizzeria, with initial reports indicating three people may have been trapped inside. Due to the complexity of the incident, additional resources were requested from Ocean City, Delaware State Police Trooper 2, and Maryland State Police Aviation.
Fire and rescue crews immediately began extrication operations. Following a thorough search, crews confirmed that two occupants were trapped, while all other occupants had safely exited the building. Both trapped occupants were extricated and transferred to awaiting medical personnel. Due to the seriousness of their injuries, both patients were transported by helicopter to ChristianaCare in New Castle for further treatment.
Fenwick Island Police Chief Michael Morrissey has confirmed to WMDT that an 80-year-old woman from Pennsylvania succumbed to injuries sustained from the crash. The woman was on vacation with her granddaughter, who remains in serious condition.
“The vehicle lurched forward with enough speed to hit an 80-year-old woman and a 17-year-old-girl who were sitting on the bench outside of the restaurant waiting for the restaurant to open,” Chief Morrissey said in an interview with WMDT.
Mancini’s Brick Oven Pizzeria posted about the crash on Friday night, saying they were dealing with a very difficult situation. None of the Mancini’s staff were injured in the crash.
“We will not get into the details of the situation out of respect for all involved, but our thoughts and prayers are with everyone tonight,” the restaurant said on social media. “We want all of our loyal customers and supporters to know that we will work through this TOGETHER, and we will need the community’s support in all that means.”
The Crabcake Factory Bayside is hosting a benefit event August 23rd from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with twenty percent of it’s sales to support Mancini’s staff while the restaurant is under repair.
