Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

State Police Arrest Man for Felony Assault Following Road Rage Incident in Newark

Date Posted: Wednesday, January 7th, 2026

Image of James Atkins

The Delaware State Police arrested 49-year-old James Atkins of Newark, Delaware, for felony assault following a road rage incident Tuesday afternoon.

On January 6, 2026, at approximately 3:15 p.m., troopers responded to a parking lot outside Aspira Delaware, located at 326 Ruthar Drive, in Newark, for a report of an assault. Troopers learned Atkins and a woman were involved in a road rage incident on Ruthar Drive, near Red Mill Road. During the incident, Atkins followed the woman as she drove into the parking lot. Atkins blocked the only possible exit with his truck so the woman couldn’t leave. The woman asked nearby school staff for help. When the woman returned to her vehicle, Atkins pepper sprayed her and returned to his truck. The woman followed Atkins to his truck where a second confrontation occurred, and Atkins’ truck was damaged.

Troopers arrested Atkins without incident.

The woman was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Atkins was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with Assault Second Degree (Felony), arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $10,000 cash bond.