Man, 73, dies in crash near Millsboro

A Millsboro man died Oct. 25 following an Oct. 24 crash west of Millsboro.

The crash happened about 11 a.m. when a Mazda CX-5 was stopped in the westbound lane on Millsboro Highway west of Mumford Road, waiting to turn left into a private driveway. An Oldsmobile Ciera was traveling westbound behind the Mazda when, police said, for reasons still under investigation, the Oldsmobile attempted to pass the Mazda on the left as the Mazda began turning into the driveway. The Oldsmobile swerved left to avoid a collision, exited the south edge of the roadway, and struck two garbage receptacles before crashing into the left side of the Mazda, which then crashed into a tree, police said.

The driver of the Mazda, a Millsboro woman, 69, was wearing a seatbelt. She was transported to an area hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries and later released. Her passenger, Gary Cooney, 73, of Millsboro, was also wearing a seatbelt and was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. On Oct. 25, police said, he died from injuries sustained in the crash. 

The driver of the Oldsmobile, a Millsboro man, 34, was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured.

The roadway was closed for about two hours while members of the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated and cleared the roadway. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Master Cpl. R. Albert at 302-703-3266, send a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contact Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.