LAUREL, Del.- Delaware State Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash near Laurel that claimed the life of the driver early Friday.
Police said the accident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. as a 2006 Lincoln LS was traveling eastbound on Bethel Road just west of Oneals Road. According to investigators, the driver was attempting to negotiate a moderate curve to the right when for unknown reasons the Lincoln continued straight and exited the north side of the roadway. Troopers said the car continued through a private yard and began to rotate clockwise before it struck a tree on the left side near the driver's side door. Following the impact with the tree, the vehicle was torn in half and caught fire.
The driver, who has not yet been identified, was the car's sole occupant and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The DSP Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing its investigation into the crash. Bethel Road in the area of Oneals Road was closed for approximately four and a half hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.
