Multi-vehicle crash kills one, injures two others in Harrington

HARRINGTON, Del. – Delaware State Police are conducting an investigation into a fatal crash that occurred Monday morning in Harrington.

We’re told at around 7:10 a.m., a Ram 2500 pickup truck being driven by a 57-year-old Lewes man was traveling eastbound on Vernon Road, approaching Whiteleysburg Road, entering a slight curve. A Toyota Camry being driven by 29-year-old Elias Diaz-Perez was traveling westbound on Vernon Road, approaching the same curve. A 2013 Chevrolet Malibu being driven by a 31-year-old Harrington woman was traveling behind the Toyota.

Police say the Ram failed to maintain its lane of travel, crossed the double yellow line, and veered completely into the westbound lane in front of the Toyota, hitting it head-on. As a result, the Toyota was pushed backward (eastbound) approximately 57 feet where the truck and Toyota came to a stop in the westbound lane. The Chevrolet tried to avoid the crash by swerving right onto the westbound shoulder, but as the Toyota was being pushed backwards, it hit the Chevrolet’s driver’s side doors and rear fender, pushing it off the roadway into a soybean field.

Elias Diaz-Perez was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say he was properly restrained at the time of the crash.

The 57-year-old Lewes man and 31-year-old Harrington woman were both taken to a nearby hospital. The man was admitted for non-life-threatening injuries, while the woman was treated and released with minor injuries.