UPDATED: DPS Investigating Deadly Crash on Route 9 near Georgetown
Image courtesy Sussex County Government
UPDATED 08/14/24: 3:13 p.m.—Delaware State Police continue to investigate the tragic death of 23-year-old Thomas Berry III, a dedicated volunteer firefighter with the Georgetown and Ellendale Fire Companies and a valued Logistics Technician with Sussex County Emergency Medical Services. 聽Firefighter Berry stopped to help the drivers involved in a crash that occurred in the area of Lewes-Georgetown Highway west of Gravel Hill Road in Georgetown just before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. While helping at the scene of the crash, a utility pole snapped, bringing down the electrical wires. As a result, Firefighter Berry sustained life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Division of Forensic Science will determine the cause of death.
Additional Information from DSP:
On August 13, 2024, at approximately 4:24 p.m., a Chevrolet Malibu was driving eastbound on Lewes-Georgetown Highway west of Gravel Hill Road in Georgetown. At the same time, a Toyota Camry was driving eastbound in front of the Malibu. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Malibu was attempting to pass the Camry. When the Malibu re-entered the eastbound lane ahead of the Camry, the right side of the Malibu sideswiped the left side of the Camry. The Malibu then veered off the road and struck a utility pole.
The driver of the Malibu, a 37-year-old man from Salisbury, Maryland, was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Camry, a 54-year-old woman from Milton, Delaware, was not injured during the crash.
Lewes-Georgetown Highway was closed for approximately 12 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
UPDATED – 10:45pm – Sussex County officials have released information regarding the crash Tuesday afternoon and say that 23 year old Thomas Berry, III, stopped to assist a motorist after a crash on Route 9 at Asphalt Aly east of Georgetown and lost his life. Route 9 was closed for several hours while police continued to investigate the scene – the investigation is ongoing.
County officials say Berry was a logistics technician for County EMS and was a volunteer firefighter for the Georgetown and Ellendale Fire Companies.
County flags have been lowered to half-staff in Berry’s honor.聽 And County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said grief counselors are being bought in to comfort colleagues and fellow employees affected by Mr. Berry鈥檚 sudden and tragic loss.
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Delaware State Police are investigating a crash just before 4:30 Tuesday afternoon on Route 9 in the area of Asphalt Alley which has left one person dead. Police say the Medical Examiner will determine the officials cause of death. No further information will be released until notification of next of kin is made.
