A quiet Friday afternoon in the heart of Sussex County turned tragic around 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, when 76‑year‑old Peter Roskowski of Millsboro lost his life in a sudden and devastating two‑vehicle collision on John J. Williams Highway near Layton Davis Road. According to the Delaware State Police (DSP), Roskowski’s westbound Dodge Ram left its own lane, crossed the center line and slammed into the front left side of an eastbound Ford F‑450 box truck driven by a 63‑year‑old man from Cape Coral, Florida.
Emergency crews reached the scene swiftly, but Roskowski was pronounced deceased where he lay. The truck driver, by contrast, survived and was transported to a local hospital with injuries described as non‑life‑threatening. The highway in the immediate vicinity was shut down for several hours while the DSP’s Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit combed the scene for answers.
In a follow‑up announcement on Nov. 9, the DSP publicly identified the victim as Peter Roskowski of Millsboro and emphasized that efforts remain ongoing to determine the cause of the crash. Authorities continue to ask any witnesses or individuals with information to contact Senior Corporal J. Smith at (302) 703‑3267, or reach out anonymously via Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1‑800‑847‑3333.
Residents and regular commuters of John J. Williams Highway — a rural two‑lane route that links the inland areas with coastal roads — were saddened to hear the news. On that Friday, this was the second fatal crash reported in Sussex County, following an earlier multi‑vehicle collision near Route 1 and Milton.
While full mechanical or medical conditions leading to the crossover remain under review, DSP officials say the westbound Dodge crossed the center line “for reasons still under investigation.” The truck driver, while shaken, is expected to recover.
This kind of sudden loss ripples through a small community like Millsboro, where neighbors and friends know one another and a familiar face suddenly disappearing resonates deeply. The DSP’s Victim Services Unit remains available to help anyone affected by the tragedy.
As investigators sift through evidence and statements in the coming days, authorities stress the importance of safe driving on all roads, especially in mixed‑traffic rural environments where large trucks and passenger vehicles share space and margins can be thin. For now, Roskowski’s passing is a solemn reminder of just how quickly life can change in an instant—and how every drive must be taken seriously.
