A motorcyclist died from his injuries while an elderly man is fighting for his life after a fiery crash involving a motorcycle and farm tractor in New Castle County, Delaware Monday afternoon.
Timothy Griffing, 33, of Wilmington, was riding a 2006 Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorcycle southbound on Taylor's Bridge Road in Townsend, Delaware with three other motorcyclists around 3:20 p.m. As he was riding, a farm tractor, operated by 88-year-old Wills Passmore of Townsend, exited a driveway on the west side of the road and crossed the southbound lane into the northbound lane of Taylor's Bridge Road, police said.
Griffing's motorcycle entered the northbound lane and began to skid towards the tractor, according to investigators. The front of the motorcycle then collided with the left side of the tractor, police said. Griffing was then ejected from the motorcycle and landed on the road about 100 feet away. The motorcycle's gas tank then burst into flames, burning both the tractor and Passmore.
Griffing, who police say was not wearing an approved DOT helmet at the time, was pronounced dead at the scene. Passmore was initially transported to Christiana Hospital but then transported to the Crozer Medical Center where he is being treated for severe burns. He is currently in critical condition.
Taylor's Bridge Road was closed for about four hours due to the accident. The scene was later cleared. Officials continue to investigate.
