Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

Update – Victims Identified and Suspect Arrested State Police Investigating Three-Vehicle Fatal Crash in New Castle

Date Posted: Friday, August 23rd, 2024

The Delaware State Police have identified 29-year-old Karisma Elivo-Stevens, and her daughter, 10-year-old Zamiyah Elivo, both from New Castle, Delaware, as the victims who died in a three-vehicle fatal crash in New Castle Wednesday night. Following the investigation, troopers arrested 26-year-old DeJuan Robinson of Wilmington, Delaware, for two counts of murder and additional charges.

On August 21, 2024, at approximately 11:20 p.m., a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, operated by Karisma Elivo-Stevens, was stopped at a traffic light in the eastbound lanes of Christiana Road, at the intersection with Airport Road. Simultaneously, a 2022 Kia K5, operated by DeJuan Robinson, was traveling at an apparent high rate of speed in the westbound lanes of Christiana Road, approaching the same intersection. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Dodge entered the intersection to turn left onto Airport Road after the traffic lights for the eastbound thru lanes and left turn lane of Christiana Road turned green, while the westbound lanes remained red. At the same time, the Kia failed to stop at the red traffic signal for the westbound lanes of Christiana Road and also entered the intersection. As a result, the front of the Kia struck the right side of the Dodge in the intersection. Following the initial impact, the Dodge spun and rolled over, while the Kia deflected to the right, crossed a cement median, and struck a 2020 Hyundai Tucson that was preparing to turn right onto Christiana Road westbound from Airport Road southbound.

The Dodge was occupied by Karisma and her 5 daughters, including Zamiyah. Karisma and Zamiyah were pronounced dead at the scene. The remaining 4 children, an 8-year-old, a 5-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 1-year-old, were taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 43-year-old woman from Bear, Delaware, was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for serious injuries.

Robinson was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for serious injuries. Please note that Robinson was stopped by troopers in the 100 block of South Dupont Highway at 11:08 p.m. but fled the traffic stop. The trooper lost sight of the Kia shortly thereafter. At no point was the Kia actively pursued by law enforcement.

On August 22, 2024, Robinson was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $906,050 cash bond.

Murder 2^nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
Failure to Stop at a Red Light

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Sergeant J. Jefferson by calling 302-365-8484. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime, or you have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.