UPDATED STORY: Motorcyclist dies after Route 1 crash
LEWES, DELAWARE (9/13/2015) A 39-year-old Laurel man was in critical condition after rear-ending an SUV on Route 1 near Lewes late Saturday night, Delaware State Police said this morning.
The crash happened shortly before 10 p.m. as the man was driving a 1985 Harley-Davidson motorcycle north on Coastal Highway (Route 1).
He struck the left rear of a 2015 Dodge Journey that was preparing to stop in the left turn lane at Shady Road and was ejected into the turn lane.
The Laurel man, whose name was withheld by police pending notification of family, was not wearing a helmet.
He was first taken by ambulance to Beebe Healthcare’s hospital in Lewes and later transferred to Christiana Hospital in Stanton.
The driver of the SUV, Marti L. Keeney, 52, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was not injured. Police said he was wearing a seat belt.
Police said they are still investigating the crash but alcohol appears to be a contributing factor on the part of the motorcyclist.
Police asked anyone who witnessed the crash to contact Master Cpl. Burns at 302-703-3266. Tips also may be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers, which offers rewards, at 800-847-3333 or www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.
Traffic was affected with lane closures for about 2½ hours as police investigated and the wreckage was cleared.
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