Man Killed In Fiery Crash Involving Tractor Trailer East Of Millsboro

Location: John J. Williams Highway (SR24) west of Maryland Camp Road (CR304), Millsboro, DE

Date of Occurrence: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 8:08 a.m.

Operators/Vehicles: Operator 1: Unidentified adult male (Deceased. Name to be released pending positive identification and NOK)
Vehicle 1: 1988 Mercedes Benz 300

Kim B. Smith-55 year old male from Salisbury, MD (properly restrained and not injured)
Vehicle 2: 2006 International Tractor Trailer hauling Pepsi Cola products

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Millsboro-The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fiery crash that has left one dead on John J. Williams Highway (SR24) east of Millsboro earlier this morning.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the incident occurred at approximately 8:08 a.m. this morning as an unidentified adult male was operating a 1988 Mercedes Benz 300 traveling John J. Williams Highway westbound west of Maryland Camp Road and appears to have lost control on the icy roadway. The Mercedes rotated counter clockwise crossing the center dividing line into the path of an eastbound 2006 International Tractor Trailer being operated by Kim B. Smith-55 year old male from Salisbury, MD. The front center of the Tractor Trailer struck the passenger side of the Mercedes. After the impact, both vehicles traveled off of the south side of the roadway into a field where the Mercedes and tractor portion of the tractor trailer became engulfed in flames. The unidentified male operator of the Mercedes was unresponsive and trapped in the vehicle due the severity of the impact. Kim was able to exit the tractor trailer and made several unsuccessful attempts to rescue the man from the Mercedes by utilizing an onboard fire extinguisher in an effort to extinguish the engulfed car.

The unidentified adult male operator of the Mercedes remained trapped in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Name to be released pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Kim B. Smith was properly restrained and not injured.

SR 24 between Maryland Camp Road and Hollyville Road was closed for approximately 4.5 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident.