2 University of Maryland Eastern Shore students killed in crash in Seaford: police
SEAFORD, DE - The Delaware State Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that left a man and a woman dead in Seaford early Sunday morning.
According to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, both victims were students.
On Sunday at around 1:34 a.m., police say a 2016 Nissan Rogue was traveling southbound on Sussex Highway in the left lane, south of Cannon Road.
At the same time, a 2005 Honda Pilot was traveling northbound, also in the left southbound lane on Sussex Highway, into the Nissan Rogue’s path of travel.
That’s when police say the front of the Nissan Rogue struck the front of the Honda Pilot in the left southbound lane of Sussex Highway.
There were four occupants in the Nissan Rouge:
- Driver - a 22-year-old man from Washington D.C.; a junior at UMD Eastern Shore
- Front passenger - a 22-year-old man from Fayetteville, North Carolina; a third-year unenrolled student at UMD Eastern Shore
- Rear right passenger - an 18-year-old woman from Willow Grove, Pennsylvania; a first-year student at UMD Eastern Shore
- Rear left passenger - an 18-year-old woman from Bethesda, Maryland; a first-year student at UMD Eastern Shore
Both the front passenger and the rear right passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. They have been identified as 22-year-old Eric Staley and 18-year-old Makayla Belton.
Both the driver and the left rear passenger, were taken to an area hospital for critical injuries.
Police say there were two occupants in the Honda Pilot.
The driver of the Pilot, a 24-year-old man from Georgetown, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital for serious injuries.
They say impairment was suspected to be a factor.
The passenger in the pilot, a 40-year-old man from Georgetown, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital for critical injuries.
The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
In a letter to the Hawk community, President Heidi M. Anderson said the following,
"We grieve the loss of our UMES students and pray that those injured have a full recovery. This tragedy has taken two promising young people at the very start of their adult lives and deprived our Hawk community, their families, and friends of the dynamic futures they were poised to live.
As I grieve with you, please know that Counseling Services are available to help students, faculty, and staff during this time. I encourage anyone in our Hawk family who needs help to get it. Counseling Services can be found at: 410-651-6449 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, or in person in Suite 2260 of the Student Development Center."
Students can also contact their crisis response line 24 hours a day at: 410-651-HELP (4357).
The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Master Corporal K. Argo by calling (302) 703-3264. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime, or you have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.