Delaware State Police have arrested 22-year-old Benjamin Herrera of Magnolia, Delaware, for vehicular assault, DUI, and other charges following a three-vehicle crash that occurred last night in Bethany Beach.

On October 2, 2025, at approximately 7:55 p.m., troopers responded to a three-vehicle crash on Coastal Highway near Beach Cove Square, north of Bethany Beach. When troopers arrived, they contacted Benjamin Herrera, identified as the driver of a Dodge Challenger, involved in the crash. While speaking to him, troopers smelled an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his breath, and he showed multiple signs of impairment.

The preliminary crash investigation revealed that the Challenger was traveling southbound on Coastal Highway near Beach Cove Square, in a reckless manner and at an apparent high rate of speed. At the same time, a Nissan Frontier was traveling southbound, in the left lane on Coastal Highway and a Chevrolet Colorado was also traveling southbound, in the right lane, both ahead of the Challenger. The Challenger struck the Nissan, pushing it into the right lane, and as a result, the Nissan struck the Chevrolet, causing it to overturn.

The driver of the Chevrolet, a 59-year-old man from New Castle, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the Nissan, a 44-year-old man and a 7-year-old passenger, both from Ocean View, Delaware, refused transport to the hospital.

Coastal Highway southbound was closed while the scene was investigated and cleared.

Herrera was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. While being transported by ambulance, he threatened a paramedic and an EMT. After he was released from the hospital, he was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $6,300 cash bond.

• Vehicular Assault 1^st Degree – Drive Under the Influence Negligent Injury (Felony)
• Vehicular Assault 2^nd Degree – Driving Under the Influence Negligence Causes Injury
• Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of a Combination of Alcohol and Any Drug
• Reckless Endangering 2nd Degree – 3 counts
• Terroristic Threatening – 2 counts
• Reckless Driving
• Failure to Have Insurance Identification in Possession

Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Trooper K. Lieber at DSP Troop 4 by calling (302) 856-5850. 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.

Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred on Monday afternoon on Interstate 95 in Newark.

On September 29, 2025, at approximately 2:30 p.m., an unloaded Freightliner dump truck was traveling southbound on I-95 in the center-left lane, approaching the Churchmans Road overpass. For reasons still under investigation, the driver abruptly braked and swerved to the left, causing the truck to crash into the center concrete median.

The driver, a 46-year-old man from Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania, was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. He was taken to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The three left lanes of Interstate 95 southbound were closed for approximately three hours while members of the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated and cleared the roadway.

The investigation remains ongoing. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Sergeant J. Jefferson at (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 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.

Delaware State Police have arrested 27-year-old Ivory Brown of Harrington, Delaware, for vehicular assault, DUI, and related charges following a single-vehicle crash that occurred last night in Greenwood.

On September 26, 2025, at approximately 11:21 p.m., troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on the 6500 block of Hickman Road in Greenwood. When troopers arrived, they contacted Ivory Brown, identified as the driver of a Ford Edge, involved in the crash. While speaking to him, troopers smelled an odor of alcoholic beverages and observed other signs of impairment. Brown was treated by EMS but refused transport to the hospital. After Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, he was taken into custody without incident.

The preliminary crash investigation revealed that the Ford was traveling on Hickman Road near Woodbridge Road, exited the roadway, entered a ditch, and overturned an unknown number of times. As a result, two of the five passengers in the car were ejected.

Two passengers in the car, a 27-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, both from Milford, Delaware, were taken to an area hospital with serious injuries.

The other passengers, two 19-year-old men, and a 6-year-old child, were taken to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Brown was taken to Troop 5, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $10,402 secured bond.

• Vehicular Assault First Degree – Driving Under the Influence Negligent Injury (Felony) – 2 counts
• Vehicular Assault Second Degree – Driving Under the Influence Negligence Causes Injury – 3 counts
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child While Driving Under the Influence
• Driving Under the Influence
• Driving While Suspended or Revoked
• Other Traffic Offenses

Delaware State Police have arrested 19-year-old Jayden Waters of Delmar, Maryland, for vehicular assault, DUI, and related traffic charges following a two-vehicle head-on crash that occurred last night in Greenwood.

On September 26, 2025, at approximately 11:05 p.m., troopers responded to a two-vehicle, head-on crash on Seashore Highway near Adamsville Road in Greenwood. When troopers arrived, they contacted Jayden Waters, identified as the driver of a GMC pick-up truck, involved in the crash. While speaking to him, troopers smelled an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.

The preliminary crash investigation revealed that the GMC pick-up was traveling westbound on Seashore Highway near Adamsville Road, attempting to pass two tractor-trailers. At the same time, a Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling eastbound on Seashore Highway near Adamsville Road. As a result, the GMC struck the Tahoe head-on.

The driver of the Tahoe, a 43-year-old man from Georgetown, Delaware, and a 13-year-old passenger, were taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. Another passenger, a 4o-year old woman, also from Georgetown, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital where she was treated and released. Two children in the Tahoe were not injured.

Waters was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

After being released from the hospital, Waters was arrested and taken to Troop 5. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and released after posting a $4,501 secured bond.

• Vehicular Assault First Degree – Driving Under the Influence Negligent Injury (Felony)
• Vehicular Assault Second Degree – Driving Under the Influence Negligence Causes Injury
• Driving By a Person Under 21 After Consumption of Alcohol
• Unsafe Passing on the Left

Delaware State Police have arrested 53-year-old Wesley Smith of Smyrna, Delaware, for 5th offense felony DUI and other traffic offenses following a crash investigation yesterday in Middletown.

On August 20, 2025, at approximately 12:48 p.m., troopers responded to Summit Bridge Road near Churchtown Road for a personal injury vehicle crash. When troopers arrived, they learned that a Nissan Frontier, driven by Wesley Smith, was traveling southbound on Summit Bridge Road near Churchtown Road when it left the southbound lane and entered the northbound lane. The Nissan then re-entered the southbound lane of Summit Bridge Road and struck a Chevrolet Equinox, causing it to overturn.

The driver of the Chevrolet, a 35-year-old woman from Middletown, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

While Smith was being treated by EMS, troopers observed signs of impairment, and he was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. When troopers contacted Smith at the hospital, he attempted to run away but was ultimately taken into custody. A computer check showed that Smith had four prior DUI-related convictions.

Smith was taken to Troop 9, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a secured bond.

• 5^th Offense DUI (Felony)
• Vehicular Assault 3^rd Degree
• Resisting Arrest
• Several Traffic Violations

Delaware State Police have arrested 26-year-old Damian Lee of Milford, Delaware, for reckless endangering and DUI following a hit-and-run crash in Frederica yesterday.

On April 16, 2025, at approximately 6:07 p.m., troopers responded to the 1000 block of Buffalo Road in Frederica for a report of a hit-and-run crash involving a silver minivan that struck a fence. While responding, a trooper saw a silver Mazda 5 with front end damage traveling northbound on South Dupont Highway near West Lebanon Road. The damage and description of the Mazda was consistent with the reported hit-and-run vehicle. The trooper pulled the Mazda over, and spoke to the driver, identified as Damian Lee. The trooper observed multiple signs of impairment from Lee and took him into custody without incident. In the ensuing investigation, troopers learned that the Mazda struck a fence, and drove through the front yard of two residences, where it nearly hit two children. No injuries were reported.

Lee was taken to Troop 3, where troopers administered Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. After the tests, Lee was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and released on a $10,800 unsecured bond.

• Reckless Endangering 1^st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Driving Under the Influence
• Driving with a Suspended/Revoked Driver’s License
• Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident
• Multiple Traffic Violations

Delaware State Police arrested 25-year-old Juventino Hernandez Montoya of Georgetown, Delaware, on multiple charges, including vehicular assault and driving under the influence, following a motor vehicle crash in Greenwood on Saturday night.

On March 1, 2025, at approximately 9:42 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash on Sussex Highway north of Adams Road. When the troopers arrived, they contacted Juventino Hernandez Montoya, who was identified as the driver of a Nissan Altima involved in the incident. While speaking with him, troopers smelled an odor of alcoholic beverages and observed other signs of impairment.

The investigation revealed that a 56-year-old woman from Salisbury, Maryland, was driving a Kia Sorento southbound on Sussex Highway, north of Adams Road. At the same time, Hernandez Montoya was driving northbound in the southbound lanes when his vehicle crashed head-on with the Kia.

All five occupants of the Kia sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Additionally, two passengers in Hernandez Montoya’s vehicle also sustained non-life-threatening injuries. One was transported to a local hospital, while the other refused treatment at the scene.

Hernandez Montoya was taken into custody and transported to Troop 5, where Standardized Field Sobriety Tests confirmed impairment. He was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and released on his own recognizance.

• Vehicular Assault First Degree (Felony)
• Vehicular Assault Second Degree- 6 counts
• Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol
• Driving Without a Valid License
• Other Traffic-Related Offenses

The Delaware State Police are investigating a serious crash that occurred yesterday in Lewes that left one man critically injured.

On January 13, 2025, at approximately 5:32 p.m., a Suzuki GSXR 750 motorcycle was traveling northbound on Coastal Highway near Old Landing Road in the right lane. The motorcycle passed an unmarked Delaware State Police Chevrolet Tahoe in the center lane and then split the lane between two other vehicles by riding along the dashed lane markings.

The trooper attempted to pull the motorcycle over, but it fled at a high rate of speed, driving recklessly on Coastal Highway while eluding the trooper. As the motorcycle approached the intersection at Coastal Highway and Melson Road, it accelerated northbound through the red light at a high rate of speed. At the same time, a Ford F-150 was crossing the northbound lanes from Coastal Highway southbound to Bay Crossing Boulevard. As a result, the motorcycle collided with the passenger side of truck.

The motorcyclist, a 19-year-old man from Bear, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford F-150, a 69-year-old man from Milton, Delaware, was not injured.

Coastal Highway was closed for an extended time while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Senior Corporal J. Smith at (302) 703-3267. 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.

The Delaware State Police arrested 34-year-old Kendell Dickerson of Wilmington, Delaware, for forgery and theft offenses that occurred in Claymont on Wednesday. Troopers are seeking assistance in locating his coconspirator (pictured above), 24-year-old Cornell Boatwright, who remains at-large.

On January 8, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., a trooper responded to a report of a theft involving counterfeit money that occurred at the Exxon, located at 3700 Philadelphia Pike in Claymont. While responding, the trooper learned the suspects had fled in a gray Nissan Maxima, which had then gone off the roadway and crashed in the area of Interstate 495 and Governor Printz Boulevard. After the collision, the driver of the Nissan, later identified as Kendell Dickerson, and the passenger, later identified as Cornell Boatwright, fled on foot towards Edgemoor. A short time later, Dickerson returned to the Nissan and was taken into custody by troopers without incident. Boatwright has not been located at this time. In the ensuing investigation, troopers learned the victim agreed to meet Dickerson at the Exxon to complete a sale for an item the victim had listed on Facebook. Upon arriving at the Exxon, Dickerson remained in the Nissan, while Boatwright exited the vehicle and paid the victim $400 for the item. As Dickerson and Boatwright drove away in the Nissan, the victim discovered he had been paid with counterfeit bills. During the investigation, troopers recovered the 20 counterfeit $20 bills from the victim.

A computer inquiry of Dickerson was conducted, which led to troopers discovering Dickerson’s driver license was revoked. Dickerson was taken to Troop 1, where he was charged with multiple crimes. Troopers obtained a warrant for Boatwright’s arrest and are seeking the public’s assistance in their on-going efforts to locate Boatwright, who has multiple felony warrants for his arrest.

Dickerson was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $3,000 unsecured bond.

• Forgery 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Theft Under $1,500
• Driving While Revoked
• Additional Traffic Violations

The Delaware State Police continues investigating this incident. Troopers are asking anyone with information regarding this case or the whereabouts of Cornell Boatwright to contact Corporal P. Ruszkay by calling (302) 761-6677. 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 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.

Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Delaware State Police arrested a 14-year-old male from Penns Grove, New Jersey, and a 16-year-old male from Deepwater, New Jersey, for multiple felony offenses following a pursuit in a stolen vehicle that occurred Sunday night in New Castle.

On December 29, 2024, at approximately 4:50 p.m., troopers on patrol in the area of State Route 1 southbound and Christiana Road, New Castle, observed a white 2012 Kia Optima with New Jersey registration occupied by two teens. A computer inquiry of the Kia’s tag revealed it was reported stolen to the Carneys Point Police Department in New Jersey on December 29, 2024. Troopers subsequently initiated a traffic stop, which the Kia disregarded as it fled across the front lawn of a residence on Lanford Road at a high rate of speed and nearly struck a pedestrian before striking a mailbox.  In the ensuing pursuit, the Kia committed numerous traffic violations, which culminated in a collision with a Nissan Maxima at the intersection of North Dupont Highway and School Lane. After the collision, the Kia’s operator abruptly exited the vehicle and fled on foot on North Dupont Highway. The operator, identified as a 14-year-old male, was ultimately taken into custody after a brief foot chase. The passenger, identified as a 16-year-old male, remained in the Kia after the collision and was taken into custody without incident. The operator of the Nissan was taken to an area hospital by EMS for non-life-threatening injuries.

During the investigation, a search of the stolen Kia led to the discovery of screwdrivers and multiple pairs of gloves. Troopers also observed damage to the Kia’s steering wheel column and ignition, and no vehicle key. This type of damage is consistent with the nationwide trend of Kias being stolen using a screwdriver. The two teens were taken to Troop 2, where they were each charged with multiple crimes.

The 14-year-old male was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to New Castle County Detention Center on a $21,500 secured bond.

• Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
• Reckless Endangering 2^nd Degree
• Criminal Mischief $1,000 but less than $5,000 – 2 counts
• Criminal Mischief Under $1,000
• Resisting Arrest
• Vehicular Assault 3^rd Degree
• Criminal Trespass 3^rd Degree – 2 counts
• Reckless Driving
• Driving Without a Valid License
• Several Additional Traffic Violations

The 16-year-old male was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released to a guardian on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

• Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)