AHOSKIE – A single vehicle accident near here Saturday afternoon claimed the life of a local woman.

Marlene Phillips Dilday, 38, of the Center Grove community in Bertie County died as the result of injuries sustained in the accident.

According to a report filed by North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper J.S. Archer, Dilday was operating a 1998 Toyota pick-up truck that was traveling south on RP 1105 (Johnny Mitchell Road) sometimes after 2 p.m. on Saturday. Archer’s report revealed that the truck ran off the right side of the road, south of the railroad crossing at Kerr Glass, and collided with a ditch bank.

The Hertford County Sheriff’s dispatcher was notified shortly past 4 p.m. in regards to a truck in a ditch on Johnny Mitchell Road. Hertford County EMS along with Ahoskie town and rural fire units responded to the accident scene, discovering Dilday’s lifeless body inside the truck.

The ditch was extremely deep, preventing passer-bys from immediately observing the truck. Ahoskie firemen had to use a ladder to reach the vehicle.

Saturday’s fatality brought the number to 17 of Roanoke-Chowan area motorists who have lost their lives in local accidents this year. Six of those fatalities have occurred in Hertford County.