DSP investigating fatal crash involving bicyclist in Bethany Beach

BETHANY BEACH, Del. – Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal crash that happened in Bethany Thursday afternoon.

Police say at around 12:15 p.m. a Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling northbound on Coastal Highway, stopped for a red light at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue. At the same time, a bicyclist that was stationary in the median, apparently waiting to cross over the northbound lanes of Coastal Highway. When the traffic light turned green, the driver of the Jeep proceeded to accelerate while the bicyclist began to cross via the crosswalk directly in to the path of the Jeep, ultimately colliding.

The bicyclist, identified as 85-year-old Ronald Smith of Bethany Beach, was initially taken to Beebe Medical Center but was later transferred to Christiana Hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries.

The driver of the Jeep, a 70-year-old Seaford man, was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation.