By Crash News Writer 
Seaford, DE (October 8, 2024) – The Delaware State Police have confirmed the identities of the two victims who tragically lost their lives in a head-on collision early Sunday, just north of Seaford. The deceased, 22-year-old Eric Staley from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and 18-year-old Makayla Belton from Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, were passengers in a 2016 Nissan Rogue that was involved in the accident.
According to police, the Nissan Rogue was traveling south in the left lane of Sussex Highway (Route 13) around 1:30 a.m. near Cannon Road. A 2005 Honda Pilot, driven by a 24-year-old Georgetown man, was heading north in the southbound lane when it collided head-on with the Rogue.
Staley, seated in the front passenger seat, and Belton, seated in the rear, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Rogue, a 22-year-old Washington D.C. man, and another passenger, an 18-year-old woman from Bethesda, Maryland, were critically injured. Both drivers and a passenger from the Honda were hospitalized with serious and critical injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
Protecting Your Rights after a Fatal Car Accident
When a loved one dies in a car accident, protecting your legal rights is critical to seeking justice and compensation. If the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, such as driving the wrong way or impaired driving, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. This can help recover costs for funeral expenses, medical bills, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
Consulting a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible is essential. A lawyer will investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation. Acting quickly is important, as there are strict deadlines for filing wrongful death claims.
By taking legal action, you can hold the responsible party accountable and provide financial relief to your family during a difficult time, allowing you to focus on healing while seeking justice for your loved one.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
- The information in this article is based on initial reports from local authorities and may be subject to updates as investigations continue.
- The identities of those involved in the incident have not been released pending official confirmation and notification of next of kin.
- Further details about the accident, including toxicology results and potential charges, will be shared as they become available.
- Road closures and traffic updates related to the accident scene can be found by checking with local authorities or traffic monitoring services.
The content of this news story is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. All information is based on public reports at the time of publication, and details may change as investigations progress. Readers are encouraged to seek legal counsel if they or someone they know have been involved in a similar incident. The publisher assumes no liability for actions taken or not