Delaware State Police have identified 49-year-old Mark Gainer of Newark, Delaware, as the man who died in a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run crash in Newark on April 13, 2024.

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Senior Corporal M. Calio at (302) 365-8483. 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.

Delaware State Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of one man early this morning.

On April 13, 2024, at approximately 12:08 a.m., an unidentified vehicle was traveling eastbound on Christiana Road east of South Brownleaf Road.  A pedestrian entered the eastbound lanes of Christiana Road from an unknown location, just west of the South Gerald Drive intersection. At the same time, the unknown vehicle entered the same area and struck the pedestrian. The vehicle then fled the scene.

The victim, a 49-year-old man from Newark, was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead. The identity of the victim will be released once his family has been notified.

Christiana Road was temporarily closed for approximately 3 hours while investigators examined the scene and cleared the roadway.

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Senior Corporal M. Calio at (302) 365-8483. 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.

Delaware State Police arrested 47-year-old Roger Shade of Middletown, Delaware, for a 5th offense DUI following a crash investigation in Townsend on Friday night.

On February 23, 2024, at approximately 8:30 p.m., troopers were dispatched to US 13 southbound and Pine Tree Road in Townsend for a report of a black Chevrolet Camaro that crashed into a utility pole. Upon arriving, troopers made contact with the driver and sole occupant of the Camaro, identified as Roger Shade. During the investigation, troopers observed several empty bottles of alcoholic beverages in the driver-side floorboard and multiple signs of impairment. Shade was taken into custody without incident for DUI after completing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. A search of his person led to the discovery of a plastic baggie containing approximately 0.40 grams of cocaine.

Shade was taken to Troop 9, where a computer inquiry revealed he had four prior DUI-related convictions. Shade was charged with the below crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released after posting a $6,400 secured bond.

• 5^th Offense DUI (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Breach of Release
• Failure to Have Required Insurance

Delaware State Police arrested 18-year-old Aidan Cooper of Selbyville, Delaware, for DUI, drug, and gun charges following a hit and run crash investigation in Frankford early Saturday morning.

On February 17, 2024, at approximately 5:55 a.m., a trooper responded to Old Mill Bridge Road, north of Millers Neck Road in Frankford, for a report of a single-vehicle crash. Upon arriving, the trooper observed an unoccupied and disabled gray Dodge Charger, with temporary Delaware registration, on the shoulder with damage to its rear right side. The trunk of the Charger was open due to the crash and several items from the trunk were strewn in the roadway, including a backpack, a pillow, and fireworks. While investigating the crash, the trooper received a report of a suspicious person in the area of Old Mill Bridge Road and Old Mill Pond Road. The trooper responded to the area, where he observed an individual, who matched the description of the suspicious person, leaving in a Nissan Sentra and conducted a traffic stop. Upon making contact with the Nissan’s occupants, the trooper discovered the front passenger, identified as Aidan Cooper, was the driver of the Charger when it crashed.

During the investigation, the trooper learned the Charger was traveling southbound on Old Mill Bridge Road in a manner that was not appropriate for the snowy and wet road. As a result, Cooper lost control of the Charger while negotiating a curve, went off the roadway, and struck a mailbox. The Charger continued traveling in a southern direction and struck a tree, before coming to an uncontrolled stop in a ditch on the southbound shoulder of Old Mill Bridge Road.

Throughout his contact with Cooper, the trooper observed multiple signs of impairment. Cooper refused to perform field tests and was taken into custody without incident. A search of the backpack led to the discovery of a Glock handgun, three loaded Glock magazines, a clear plastic bag containing approximately 0.06 grams of methamphetamine, several additional rounds of ammunition, four bottles of alcohol, THC gummies, and THC wax.

Cooper was taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the following crimes:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon by Person Prohibited who also Possesses Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm while Under the Influence
• Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance
• Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol and any Drug
• Possession of Personal Use Quantity of Marijuana – Civil Violation
• Underage Possession/Consumption of Alcohol – Civil Violation
• Additional Traffic Violations

Cooper was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $26,405 secured bond.

Delaware State Police arrested 35-year-old Chad Johnson of Newark, Delaware, for gun and traffic charges following a crash investigation that occurred last Thursday in Newark.

On February 8, 2024, at approximately 12:29 a.m., a trooper on Kirkwood Highway in the area of Harmony Road observed a motorcycle commit a traffic violation as it made a U-turn in the roadway to avoid a partial road closure. The trooper initiated a traffic stop, however, the motorcycle did not stop as it continued traveling at a high rate of speed in a reckless manner. The trooper discontinued the pursuit, shortly after which the motorcyclist failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway and crashed. The trooper responded to the crash and made contact with the motorcyclist, identified as Chad Johnson. Before Johnson was taken to an area hospital by ambulance for injuries sustained from the crash, the trooper conducted a search of Johnson and located a loaded handgun in his pocket. A computer inquiry revealed Johnson is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Johnson was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released after posting a $15,000 secured bond.

• Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)
• Possession of Unfinished Firearm Frame with No Serial Number (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm by Person Prohibited for Prior Felony Violation (Felony)
• Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited for Prior Felony Violation (Felony)
• Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
• Driving While Suspended
• Additional Traffic Violations

Delaware State Police arrested 33-year-old Michael Lewis of Bridgeville, Delaware, for gun and traffic charges following a crash investigation that occurred Friday night in Milton.

On December 22, 2023, at approximately 7:07 p.m., a trooper responded to the area of Gravel Hill Road and Webb Road in Milton for a crash involving a moped. Upon arriving, the trooper made contact with the operator of the moped, later identified as Michael Lewis, who was detained by a Georgetown Police Officer after Lewis attempted to leave the scene of the crash. While talking to Lewis, the trooper observed signs of impairment. Lewis refused to provide his identification to the trooper, and a search incident to arrest was conducted of Lewis and his belongings. A search of his backpack led to the discovery of a loaded firearm, a bottle of brandy, and personal documents positively identifying Lewis. A computer inquiry revealed Lewis is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Lewis was taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $6,503 secured bond.

• Possession of a Firearm Previously Convicted of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm while Under the Influence
• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
• Driving While Revoked
• Operation of an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Careless Driving

The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal crash occurred on Friday afternoon in Dover that left one woman dead.

On December 1, 2023, at approximately 3:11 p.m., a 2001 Buick Century was traveling eastbound on Rose Bowl Road. The Buick stopped at the stop sign at North Dupont Highway. At the same time, a 2012 Nissan Sentra was traveling southbound in the left lane of North Dupont Highway, approaching Rose Bowl Road. The Buick moved from the stop sign attempting to cross the southbound lanes of North Dupont Highway, in front of the Nissan, resulting in the Nissan striking the Buick’s driver side door in the left lane of North Dupont Highway.

The driver of the Buick, a 59-year-old woman from Hartly, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital by ambulance, where she died. Her name is being withheld until her family and relatives are notified.

The driver of the Nissan, a 21-year-old woman from Smyrna, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital by ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries.

The roadway was closed for approximately two and a half hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues investigating this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Master Corporal J. Lane by calling (302) 698-8457. 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.

The Delaware State Police are conducting a death investigation for an incident that occurred in Frankford early this morning that left one man dead and one man critically injured.

On November 24, 2023, at approximately 1:10 a.m., troopers responded to a report of shots fired in the area of a residence on the 30200 block of Frankford School Road in Frankford. Upon arriving, troopers located two men with life threatening injuries lying in the roadway near a Mecedes-Benz SUV and a Honda four-wheeler. For reasons under investigation, the SUV and the four-wheeler collided on Frankford School Road. The two injured men in the roadway were thrown from the four-wheeler after the two vehicles collided. The SUV’s occupants, a 38-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, both from Frankford, were not injured.

One of the victims, a 22-year-old Millsboro man, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified. The second victim, a 20-year-old Millsboro man, was taken to an area trauma hospital for critical injuries.

The Homicide Unit and Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit are actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective A. Bluto by calling 302-741-2859. 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.

The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred early this morning in Smyrna that left one man dead.

On October 30, 2023, at approximately 2:06 a.m., a green 2012 Ford F-150 was traveling eastbound on Wheatleys Pond Road, west of Bryn-Zion Road in Smyrna. Simultaneously, a black 2011 Lincoln Town Car was traveling westbound on Wheatleys Pond Road, approaching the Ford. It is unclear at this time as to which vehicle crossed the centerline causing the right front side of the Ford to impact with the right front side of the Lincoln on the southern part of the eastbound lane. After the impact, the Ford traveled in a southeasterly direction while rotating clockwise and rolled onto the driver’s side. The Ford came to rest in the westbound lane, still on its driver’s side, and became fully engulfed in flames. Post impact, the Lincoln was forced in a northeasterly direction while rotating counterclockwise, where it exited the roadway and struck a utility pole. The Lincoln came to rest in the roadside grass after the impact from the utility pole caused it to deflect westbound.

The driver of the Lincoln, a 71-year-old man from Henderson, Maryland, was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified.

The driver of the Ford fled from the scene of the crash and is unknown at this time. The roadway was closed for approximately four hours while the scene was investigated and the roadway was cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal W. Booth by calling 302-698-8451. 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.

Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate a Wilmington area hit and run crash that occurred on July 2, 2023, after 43-year-old Lawrence Williams of Newark, Delaware, died on October 23, 2023, from injuries sustained in the crash.

The fleeing vehicle is an unknown white Nissan sedan (pictured below).

Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed this collision or has information about the fleeing vehicle 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 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.