LEWES, Del. -
Delaware State Police are investigating a deadly accident that happened in Lewes last night (12/30/22) that killed a man on the street.Â
Police say it was around 9:53 p.m. that a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling southbound on Coastal Highway south of Postal Lane.
Police say at the same time, Joseph Francisco was walking eastbound across the highway in the right lane of the roadway, directly in the path of the pickup truck.
According to police, the Francisco was not using a crosswalk, carrying a light, or wearing reflective clothing. As a result, the front of the Silverado struck him, causing him to become trapped underneath the truck. The Silverado came to a stop in the shoulder a short distance later.
Police say the driver of the Silverado, a 34-year-old man from Lewes, Delaware, was not injured.
However, the pedestrian, a 62-year-old man from Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, was pronounced dead at the scene.Â
Police say that no other cars were involved in this crash.
The southbound lanes of Coastal Highway were closed for approximately 2.5 hours as the scene was investigated and cleared.
Some say the accident is a sign more crosswalks are needed on coastal highway.
"I just feel like there should be more crosswalk lights, like definitely something that brings attention to people so that they're more aware rather than just regular signs. I feel like they're not really beneficial." said Dulce Lopez who lives in Lewes.
Delaware State Police are still investigating what exactly led up to the deadly crash, but troopers say people running across Route One is a constant problem.
Sr. Cpl. Leonard DeMalto said, "-even if I'm driving around in my normal car or if I'm working patrol, I'm constantly seeing people who are running across the highway trying to beat the traffic, putting themselves in danger."
DSP says that if you do have to walk along Coastal Highway when it's dark out, to try to avoid wearing dark colored clothing and to turn on your phone's flashlight to make you more noticeable on the side of the road or if you're flash light doesn't work you can always turn up the brightness on your phone's screen.