Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

State Police Arrest Townsend Man for Murder Following Fatal Crash

Date Posted: Wednesday, December 10th, 2025

Image of Pavan Patel

The Delaware State Police has arrested 28-year-old Pavan Patel, of Townsend, Delaware, for murder and related charges following a two-car fatal crash last Wednesday in Middletown involving a pregnant woman.

On December 3, 2025, at approximately 9:45 p.m., a Mazda CX-9 was traveling southbound on Jamison Corner Road, approaching a green light at Boyds Corner Road. At the same time, a Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling eastbound on Boyds Corner Road, approaching a red light at Jamison Corner Road. The preliminary investigation revealed the Jeep failed to stop at the red light and crashed into the passenger side of the Mazda.

The driver of the Mazda, a 31-year-old pregnant woman from Middletown, Delaware, was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Due to complications resulting from the crash, the woman gave birth to the baby, La’Royce Johnson-Young. On December 6, 2025, La’Royce was pronounced dead.

The driver of the Jeep, Patel, was not injured. Troopers saw signs of impairment from Patel. On the night of the crash, Patel was taken to Troop 9 where he was originally charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to stop at a red light.

The roadway was closed for approximately 1.5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

After learning of La’Royce’s death, the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit consulted with the Delaware Department of Justice, who authorized additional charges. On December 10, 2025, Patel turned himself in at Troop 2 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $280,102.00 cash bond.

Murder 2nd Degree Recklessly Caused Death with Indifference to Human Life (Felony)
Assault First Degree (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 2 counts
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Speeding
Failure to Stop at a Red Light

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or 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