2 separate crashes in Sussex County about 12 hours apart leave 2 people killed

In a matter of 12 hours, two people were killed in separate crashes on opposite sides of Sussex County, Delaware State Police said.

The first fatal crash occurred about 7:20 p.m. Sunday as a 40-year-old Rehoboth Beach man was driving a 2013 Nissan Altima south on Coastal Highway (Route 1), police said.

As he approached the intersection at Rehoboth Avenue Extension, police said, the cyclist — 54-year-old Russell Harrison of Rehoboth Beach — entered the Nissan's path causing the man to leave his bicycle and land in the median.

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Harrison was taken to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, police said.

The Nissan driver fled the scene, but police said he and his car were found by responding troopers near Martin Street.

"Possible charges against the Nissan driver are pending the results of the investigation," said Senior Cpl. Leonard DeMalto, a police spokesperson.

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Sussex County's second fatal crash occurred at about 7:10 a.m. Monday as a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by 69-year-old George Jefferson of Hebron, Maryland, was stopped for a school bus picking up children in the left lane of Sussex Highway (Route 13) near Seaford.

That's when a 2012 Hyundai Sonata, driven by a 19-year-old Fruitland, Maryland, man, failed to stop for the bus and struck the rear of the Cavalier, police said.

Police said both cars were propelled off the road. The school bus was not hit and no children were injured.

The Sonata driver was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, while Jefferson was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No other vehicles were involved in this collision, and police said possible charges against the Chevrolet driver are pending the results of the investigation.

Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 2 Sussex County crashes leave 2 people killed across Delaware