Seaford crash marks ninth fatality since Jan. 1

Sgt. Josh Bushweller, state police spokesman, said William K. Rayfield, 77, of Laurel, was driving a 1994 Lincoln Town Car northbound on Beaver Dam Branch Road in Seaford at about 12:30 p.m. Rayfield stopped at the sign in the Hardscrabble Road intersection, but for an unknown reason he failed to remain stopped. Rayfield pulled out in front of a truck in an attempt to turn left to go westbound on Hardscrabble Road. The 2005 Mack 10-wheel trash truck, operated by Troy A. Maull, 44, of Lewes, was traveling eastbound on Hardscrabble Road. The front of the truck struck the driver’s door.

Rayfield, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Maull, who was wearing a seat belt, was not injured.

OHS urges drivers to be wary
Delaware Office of Highway Safety officials are urging motorists to slow down and use additional caution after the Seaford crash became the eighth fatal crash of the new year in Delaware. Rayfield’s death brings the total number of people killed since Jan. 1 to nine.

“We are averaging a fatal crash every three to four days, and it has to stop,” said Andrea Summers, Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) community relations officer. “If we keep going at this rate, we’ll have another fatal crash this weekend, and another family will be devastated. Every person behind the wheel has the ability and opportunity to prevent a fatal crash by slowing down and paying extra attention when they are on the road.”

Of the eight fatal crashes statewide so far, according to police reports, three were speed-related, two were alcohol-related, one person failed to stop at a red light, one failed to remain stopped at a stop sign and one was a pedestrian who reportedly crossed in front of a moving vehicle.

Additionally, five of the crashes occurred between midnight and 2 a.m., five occurred in New Castle County, two in Sussex and two in Kent. Of the eight victims who were either drivers or passengers, five were not wearing seat belts, and as a result, at least two were ejected from their vehicles.

At this time last year, five people had been killed in vehicle crashes. For more information on the Office of Highway Safety’s ongoing safety programs, visit ohs.delaware.gov

Basics of driving safety:

• Buckle up every trip, every time. Delaware state law requires the driver and all passengers, including those in the back seat, to buckle up. Wearing a seat belt improves survival chances in a collision by nearly 50 percent.

• Slow down. Observe the posted speed limits and reduce speeds when entering curves or when snow, rain or icy conditions are predicted.

• Never drink and drive. Alcohol impairs coordination, reaction time and judgment, making drivers believe they can drive safely when in fact it’s dangerous to do so. Always use a designated driver, cab or bus service to get safely home.

• Pay attention when approaching a signaled intersection for traffic lights that are changing.

• Take additional time to look both ways at stop signs to make sure no one is coming before proceeding.

• When crossing the roadways on foot, use only marked crosswalks or signaled or signed intersections as crossing points. While walking at night, wear reflective clothing or carry a flashlight as required by state law.

• When driving in rain, snow, fog or other weather, conditions that may require use of windshield wipers, remember to turn on the headlights as required by state law so others can see the vehicle.