MILLSBORO, DELAWARE (12/16/2014) A 20-year-old man died early today after he was ejected from a stolen car in a fiery two-vehicle crash in the Oak Orchard area east of Millsboro, authorities said. The other driver was hospitalized.
The man killed was identified by state police as Andrew S. Thompson of Lewes..
The accident happened about 1 a.m. on John J. Williams Highway (Route 24) just west of Legion Road, state police said.
A 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix was westbound on Route 24 at high speed, lost control, crossed the center line and collided with an eastbound 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 utility truck.
Thompson, the driver of the Pontiac, was ejected when the vehicle split into multiple sections as the truck burst into flames. Passing motorists helped to extricate the driver of the truck.
Thompson, who police said was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the truck, Mark A. Bradford, 29, of Millsboro, was taken by ambulance to Beebe Healthcare’s hospital in Lewes with injuries not considered life-threatening, police said. He was wearing a seat belt.
Police said the road was closed about four hours as they investigated and the wreckage was cleared.
Their investigation is continuing but no charges are expected.
Police said the car had recently been stolen from Sunny’s Auto Sales at 25924 John J. Williams Highway, about a mile from the crash scene.
Indian River firefighters and a Millsboro ambulance responded.