MILFORD, Del. – A 37-year-old Georgetown man was killed Sunday night after fleeing a traffic stop and crashing during a short pursuit in Milford, according to Delaware State Police.
The incident began around 9 p.m. on January 11 when a trooper observed a Nissan Altima commit a traffic violation on Johnson Road near North Old State Road in Lincoln. A records check revealed the car also had a registration issue. The trooper initiated a stop on North Old State Road, but the driver sped off before the trooper could exit the patrol vehicle.
State Police said the Altima traveled at a high rate of speed through nearby roads as the driver fled recklessly. For safety reasons, the pursuit was soon called off. Moments later, troopers learned that the Altima had crashed on Lakeview Avenue within Milford city limits.
A preliminary investigation determined that while traveling at excessive speed, the Altima veered off the south side of the roadway, mounted the sidewalk, crossed West Clarke Avenue, and struck a small tree and several shrubs before spinning into a large tree.
The driver was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity is being withheld pending notification of family. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Lakeview Avenue was closed for about two hours while police investigated and cleared the scene.
