SMYRNA – An 18-year-old Clayton man died in a single-vehicle crash Tuesday morning, the Delaware State Police said.
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 7:20 a.m. as Justin N. Fields was driving a 1998 Toyota Camry westbound on Hillyard Road just west of Brenford Road. For unknown reasons, police said, the vehicle failed to negotiate a right curve and traveled off the south side of the roadway striking a tree head-on.
After the impact, the car caught fire and two citzens traveling in the area stopped and pulled Mr. Fields from the car before it became fully engulfed in flames, police said.
Mr. Fields, who police said was not wearing a seatbelt and the only occupant in the vehicle, was pronounced dead while being transported to Bayhealth–Kent General Hospital.
The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident and speed and alcohol are not contributing factors, authorities said.
Hillyard Road was closed for approximately three hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.