Sussex County employee tragically lost while assisting victim of vehicle crash

Georgetown, Del., Aug. 13, 2024: Sussex County government is mourning the loss of one of its own, a young public servant with a promising career who lost his life on Tuesday afternoon while rendering aid to a motorist involved in a vehicle crash near Georgetown.

William Thomas Berry III, 23, known as Tommy, died just before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, after stopping to assist a motorist following a crash on U.S. 9/Lewes-Georgetown Highway, about two miles east of Georgetown.

Details of the incident remain under investigation by the Delaware State Police.

Outside of his professional service as a logistics technician for the County's Emergency Medical Services division since 2022, Mr. Berry was a volunteer firefighter with the Georgetown and Ellendale fire companies. That training and his response as a volunteer firefighter no doubt served Mr. Berry as he moved into action after coming across the crash on his way back to County offices following a field assignment earlier in the day, officials said.

"We are beyond heartbroken at this loss of such a dedicated and caring young man who exemplified public service until his last moments on this earth," said County Council President Michael H. Vincent, a lifelong member of the volunteer fire service himself. "His selfless act in a moment of need is one that will be long remembered by his friends and colleagues and by all of us at County government. As tragic as this loss of life is, his heroism is something we should all be proud of and thankful for, and we hold his family, co-workers, and all his brothers and sisters in the fire service in our hearts and prayers in this most difficult time."

The state police investigation of the circumstance that led to the accident and subsequent fatality remain ongoing. Lewes-Georgetown Highway remained closed late into the evening Tuesday night as police continued to investigate the scene.

County flags have been lowered to half-staff in Mr. Berry's honor. Meantime, a processional of public safety personnel and vehicles lined the streets of Georgetown on Tuesday evening just after sunset, making their way past the fire hall, as the body was transferred from the incident scene to the Delaware Medical Examiner's Office.

County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said grief counselors are being bought in to comfort colleagues and fellow employees affected by Mr. Berry's sudden and tragic loss.

The Delaware Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause of and manner of death. Further details with regard to the circumstances of the incident and the status of the investigation will be released by state police at a later time.

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