Updated: Police ID Driver Killed in Bridgeville Crash

BRIDGEVILLE, Del.- Delaware State Police have released the name of a man who died following a single-vehicle crash that happened over the weekend on Seashore Highway (SR 18) east of Oak Road in Bridgeville. 

Police identified the victim as Axel J. Ortiz-Velazquez, 34, of Milford, Del.

Police said it happened shortly after 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, as a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, operated by Ortiz-Velazquez, was traveling eastbound on Seashore Highway (SR 18), and attempting to pass a slower vehicle directly in front of him. Troopers said that as Ortiz-Velazquez changed into the westbound lane to start passing the vehicle, he observed another vehicle traveling westbound. Police said that to avoid colliding with the other vehicle in the westbound lane, Ortiz-Velazquez swerved back into the eastbound lane, nearly striking the vehicle he intended to pass. Troopers said that as a result, Ortiz-Velazquez failed to maintain his lane and went off of the south edge of the roadway, where he rolled over multiple times before coming to rest, upright in a cornfield.

Ortiz-Velazquez was not properly restrained and was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving, according to police.

Seashore Highway was closed for approximately three hours during the investigation and cleanup.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Detective A. Mitchell of the Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-644-5020.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

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