UPDATE: DEADLY MOTOR CYCLE CRASH

Delaware State Police have identified 59-year-old Joseph Laclair of Clayton as the victim in a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred early Friday morning on Smyrna-Leipsic Road.

CLAYTON, Del. - Delaware State Police have identified the victim in a deadly motorcycle crash that occurred early Friday morning as 59-year-old Joseph Laclair of Clayton.

The crash happened around 4 a.m. on Sept. 5 along Smyrna-Leipsic Road. According to DSP, Laclair was riding a Yamaha X1A when he misjudged the curve. The motorcycle left the roadway, entered a ditch, struck a culvert pipe and ejected Laclair. Laclair was pronounced dead at the scene.

Smyrna-Leipsic Road was temporarily closed while emergency crews responded and cleared the area. The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate the crash. 

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Grace Eckerle joined CoastTV News in July 2025 as an anchor and reporter. She graduated from Penn State University in May 2025 with a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in American History.

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