DOVER – A two-vehicle crash on New Burton Road Wednesday afternoon has left a Dover man in critical condition, according to Delaware State Police.

The incident occurred around 2:05 p.m. Wednesday as George E. Courtney Jr., 86 of Dover was operating a 2008 Mercury Marquis  southbound on New Burton Road just south of Webbs Lane. The site is active construction zone.

Police said that Mr. Courtney drove past the flagman positioned on the north end and who was holding a stop sign. Mr. Courtney allegedly drove onto the grassy shoulder and continued southbound pulling back into the southbound lane. According to police, he allegedly crossed into the northbound lane where he accelerated and struck a 1999 Mercury Mountaineer head on.

The Mercury Mountaineer, which was being operated by Craig R. Burris, 58 of Camden, was traveling northbound and had just received the slow sign from the flagman on the south end of the construction zone.

The southbound and northbound lanes were divided by large orange barrels and only one lane was in use due to the on-going West Dover Connector Project.

Mr. Courtney was taken to Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital and, as of Wednesday evening, was listed in critical condition.

Mr. Burris, who was properly restrained, was treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating.  New Burton Road was closed between Webbs Lane and Front Street for approximately 2 1/2 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.