HARTLY, Del.- Delaware State Police have arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with last week's deadly hit-and-run crash involving a horse and buggy in Hartly.

Robert H. Eckeard, 29 of Hartly, was taken into custody Wednesday, Sept. 6, at his home by detectives and transported to Troop 3 where he was charged with leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death, failure to report a collision resulting in death, failure to show proof of insurance, and expired tags. He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $7,002 cash bond.

Police said the incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, as Ervin D. Miller, 55, of Hartly, was operating a horse drawn carriage westbound on Halltown Road (SR8) and attempting to make a left turn into Royal Farms at the intersection with Hartly Road (SR44).

Police said Eckeard was operating a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina eastbound on SR8 and collided with the carriage, ejecting both Miller and his 55-year-old wife into the roadway. Eckeard then continued eastbound on SR8 without stopping, according to investigators.

Ervin Miller was transported by EMS to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. His wife, who was critically injured in the crash, was also transported to KGH where she was treated and has recently been released.

Authorities said the horse detached itself from the carriage and ran from the scene, later to be located back at the home of the victims.