Crime & Safety
Kent County, DE Crash: Man Killed After Car Hits Tree, Catches Fire
Hartly, DE – A 46 year old Dover man was killed early Sunday after his car left a Kent County road, struck a tree and caught fire, according to Delaware State Police.
By Natalie Rhodes · 2026-10-05T12:55:17.278Z
Hartly, DE – A 46 year old Dover man was killed early Sunday after his car left a Kent County road, struck a tree and caught fire, according to Delaware State Police.
According to Delaware State Police, the single vehicle crash happened at approximately 5:10 a.m. Sunday on Arthursville Road, west of Gunter Road in the Hartly area.
Investigators said a Ford Fusion was traveling east on Arthursville Road when, according to the preliminary investigation, the driver failed to negotiate a slight curve. The vehicle then left the south side of the roadway, struck a tree and caught fire.
The driver, identified by police only as a 46 year old man from Dover, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was being withheld Monday pending notification of his family.
Arthursville Road was closed for approximately three hours while authorities investigated the scene and cleared the roadway, police said.
The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate what led to the fatal crash. No additional vehicles were reported to have been involved.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that could assist investigators to contact Master Cpl. W. Booth at 302 698 8451. Information can also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800 847 3333.
The crash occurred in the Hartly area of Kent County, west of Dover, and the investigation remained ongoing Monday.