A weekend ride on an electric bicycle turned deadly late Saturday morning in Rehoboth Beach when a 66-year-old woman was hit by a pickup after she moved out of the bike lane along Coastal Highway. The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. north of Savages Ditch Road, and emergency crews took the rider to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Coastal Highway stayed shut down for roughly two hours while investigators documented the scene and cleared the roadway.
According to Delaware State Police, a GMC Sierra 2500 was traveling southbound in the left lane when the e-bike operator left the designated bicycle lane and entered the southbound travel lanes. The pickup then struck the rider. The release identifies the cyclist as a 66-year-old woman from Potomac, Maryland. It also notes that the pickup’s driver, a 64-year-old man from Perryville, Maryland, was not injured. The agency’s Collision Reconstruction Unit is leading the investigation.
As reported by CBS Philadelphia, troopers responded quickly and reopened Coastal Highway after investigators finished processing evidence and debris. Local coverage echoed the state account and reported that officials were asking anyone who saw the crash to contact investigators.
Why That Stretch Can Turn Risky Fast
Coastal Highway serves as a busy summer corridor where a simple painted bike lane still puts riders close to fast-moving traffic, a setup safety officials say can heighten risk. The Delaware Office of Highway Safety runs bicycle-safety programs and publishes crash data that highlight the dangers vulnerable road users face in similar conditions. Federal research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also notes that collisions with motor vehicles tend to produce the most severe injuries for e-bike and traditional bicycle riders.
Investigation And How Witnesses Can Help
In a news release, Delaware State Police asked anyone who witnessed the crash to contact Sergeant A. Mitchell at (302) 703-3269 or to submit tips through Delaware Crime Stoppers. Troopers said the Collision Reconstruction Unit will continue examining physical evidence and witness accounts as the investigation moves forward.
