Frankford teen dies in crash

MILLSBORO — A 13-year-old female died in a vehicle crash at approximately 1:11 p.m. Monday on Hollyville Road, south of Harmony Cemetery Road, authorities said.

Delaware State Police spokesman Master Cpl. Gary Fournier said an initial investigation has determined that a 2006 Jeep Liberty, driven by a 17-year-old female of Frankford, was traveling north on Hollyville Road, approaching the intersection at Harmony Cemetery Road. At this time, a 2016 Freightliner flatbed truck was traveling south in the same vicinity.

For unknown reasons, the operator of the Liberty lost control of the vehicle and crossed into the southbound lane, exposing the passenger side, Cpl. Fournier said. The Freightliner driver, a 26-year-old male of Salisbury, Maryland, applied his brakes in an attempt to avoid a collision, but the front right of the truck struck the passenger side of the Liberty.

After impact, the Liberty was forced off the west side of the road and came to rest. The Freightliner was also redirected off the west side of Hollyville Road, striking a tree before coming to rest south of the impact, police said.

The Liberty driver was transported to Beebe Healthcare, Lewes, and treated for minor injuries. The 13-year-old female, a front passenger in the Liberty, was pronounced dead at the scene. Identification of the victim is pending notification of next of kin.

The road was closed for approximately 3.5 hours, while the investigation began, and the roadway was cleared.

Anyone with information should contact Master Cpl. Argo of the Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit at 302-703-3264. Information may also be provided to Delaware Crime Stoppers via 800-TIP-3333 or here.