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Police: 1 Dead, 2 Hospitalized In New Castle County Accident

MIDDLETOWN, Del., (CBS) – Delaware State Police say they are investigating a fatal accident north of Middletown in New Castle County.

Investigators say it happened at about 2:54 p.m. Saturday on Summit Bridge Road north of Marl Pit Road.

According to police, preliminary investigation indicates that a 66-year-old man was operating a Ford Edge northbound on Summit Bridge Road (US301) approaching the intersection of Marl Pit Road.  Police say for unknown reasons the Ford Edge drifted across the solid double lines and into the southbound lanes.

According to investigators, a 44-year-old woman was operating a Ford C-Max Hybrid southbound approaching the same intersection and attempted to swerve to the right to avoid colliding with the Ford Edge, but was struck nearly head-on before both vehicles came to an uncontrolled stop in the southbound lanes.

Police say the 66-year-old man was properly restrained and was extricated from the vehicle.  He was taken to Christiana Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead, according to police.

Police say the woman and 16-year-old daughter were also properly restrained and had to be extricated from their vehicle.  They were taken to Christiana Medical Center where the 44-year-old remains hospitalized in serious condition with undetermined injuries, according to police.

Investigators say her daughter was admitted in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this crash.

Summit Bridge Road (US301) was closed between Marl Pit Road and Boyds Corner Road (SR896) for about two hours while the incident was investigated and cleared.

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