SMYRNA, Del. (September 5, 2025) – Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal overnight motorcycle crash that claimed the life of a Clayton man early Friday morning in Smyrna.
According to investigators, the crash occurred around 4:16 a.m. on Smyrna-Leipsic Road, east of Big Oak Road. A Yamaha X1A motorcycle was traveling eastbound when the rider failed to negotiate a curve. The motorcycle left the south edge of the roadway, entered a ditch, and struck a culvert pipe. The force of the collision caused the rider to be ejected from the bike.
The victim, a 59-year-old man from Clayton, was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. His name is being withheld pending notification of family members.
The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities said Smyrna-Leipsic Road was closed for several hours to allow for scene reconstruction and cleanup before reopening to traffic.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to come forward. Witnesses can contact Sergeant J. Wilson at 302-698-8518, or they may provide information anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers.
The investigation remains active as troopers work to determine what factors may have contributed to the fatal wreck.
This marks yet another serious motorcycle crash on Delaware roadways this year, underscoring the dangers riders face during early morning travel hours when visibility and roadway conditions may be challenging.
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