LEWES, DE – Delaware State Police have identified the victim who died in a fatal ATV crash on April 6, 2021, as Margaret Browne, 16, of Rehoboth Beach. Four other teenage girls were treated for their injuries, two required hospitalization for serious injuries.
On April 6, 2021, at approximately 6:47 p.m., a John Deere Gator ATV was traveling northbound on a private asphalt driveway located off of Robinsonville Road. The operator attempted to negotiate a left curve at a high rate of speed, at which time the ATV began skidding and exited the east edge of the driveway. As it slid off the roadway, it began to overturn, striking a tree and coming to rest on its roof.
The John Deere Gator is a side-by-side ATV, equipped with two passenger seats with seatbelts and a rear utility bed. At this time, the seating positions of the five occupants riding on the ATV are unknown due to the investigation still active and ongoing. All occupants were ejected from the ATV as it overturned.
“Maggie” Browne was a sophomore at Cape Henlopen High School who wanted to grow up to become an engineer. She was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey and the family lived in Wycoff before relocating to Delaware. She competed in track and cheerleading.
Maggie was a sophomore at Cape Henlopen High School, where she participated in the Engineering Pathway, with her eyes on fulfilling her dream of becoming an engineer.
A talented athlete, she excelled in track and competitive cheerleading, belonging to the CC Champs of Waldwick, N.J., and the Shore Pride Allstars of Millsboro. When not on the mat or at the track, Maggie excelled in the classroom and had a fierce love of reading, gravitating toward mythology and historical fiction. Her passion for books was infectious and she began sharing her love of reading with her nephew Charlie.
She enjoyed music and movies and spending time at the beach with friends. Maggie cherished time spent with those closest to her most of all.
Her spirit was effervescent, her compassion for those around her humbling. While we cannot fathom life without her, we know that she left a little bit of her with everyone she met. Her memory and impact on those she loved unconditionally will be forever remembered. She was a loving, compassionate, and devoted daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. She was so much more than these words on the page. She was our “Maggie”. Maggie’s passing is an insurmountable loss for so many and will leave a void in every life she touched. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.