2 hurt in Route 1 crash involving state police car

DSP logoLEWES, DELAWARE (2/24/2015) Two people were injured Monday in a crash on Route 1 west of Lewes involving a state police cruiser, authorities said.

The accident happened about 3:50 p.m. at the Willow Creek Road intersection.

A 24-year-old trooper was northbound in the left lane in a marked 2008 Ford Crown Victoria approaching the intersection.

A 2010 Toyota Avalon. driven by Leroy W. Basher, 70, of Millsboro, was westbound on Willow Creek and stopped at the Route 1 stop sign, then pulled out into the path of the trooper’s car, police said.

The trooper braked and swerved to the left but struck the left front of the Avalon, which spun around and came to a stop in the median.

The police car spun around and came to a stop in the left turn lane on the southbound side of Route 1.

The trooper was not hurt, but a 51-year-old woman who was a passenger in the rear seat was taken to Beebe Healthcare’s hospital in Lewes and treated for minor injuries, then released, police said.

Basher was taken to Beebe and admitted for injuries that apparently are not life-threatening, police said. He was cited for failure to remain stopped at a stop sign.

All involved were wearing seat belts, police said. Troopers are still investigating the incident.

Traffic in both directions was affected for about 3 hours until the wreckage was cleared.