24-year-old man struck, killed on Route 1 is identified

Southbound Route 1 at South Croppers Circle (Photo: Google maps)

FENWICK ISLAND, DELAWARE (10/6/2017) A 24-year-old man standing on the edge of Route 1 north of Fenwick Island was struck and killed by a pickup truck Thursday night, Delaware State Police.

The pedestrian fatality happened about 11 p.m. just south of South Croppers Circle.

The 24-year-old, later identified as Austin J. Powell of Suffolk, Virginia, was standing with some other people near vehicles that were parked on the southbound shoulder of Route 1 when he was struck by the right front of a southbound 2003 Ford F-250 pickup.

Powell was thrown onto the shoulder and the pickup continued south about a mile before stopping in the Sunrise Shopping Plaza.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the pickup, a 50-year-old Fenwick Island man, was not injured but police said he was taken to a hospital for an undetermined medical condition.

Troopers are still investigating the crash and no charges have been filed.

“It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor on behalf of the truck driver or the pedestrian,” Master Cpl. Gary Fournier said.

Southbound Route 1 was closed about 4.5 hours as police investigated.