The Delaware State Police continue to investigate a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred last week near Georgetown.

On April 17, 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Ford Explorer was traveling southbound on Dupont Boulevard north of McColley’s Chapel Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Explorer gradually exited the west edge of the road where it struck a mailbox, road sign, and a large embankment. After the collision, the Explorer caught fire and the unresponsive driver was pulled from the vehicle by bystanders, who began life saving efforts.

The driver, 81-year-old Michael Jeffra, of Georgetown, Delaware, was originally believed to have experienced a medical emergency prior to the crash and taken to an area hospital where he died. Further investigation revealed that he died as a result of injuries he received in the crash.

Dupont Boulevard was closed for approximately 2 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

Delaware State Police Troop 5 continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Corporal Grade One K. Marvel by calling DSP Troop 5 at (302) 232-3435. 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 have arrested 42-year-old Ashley Green, of Dover, Delaware, for felony 5th offense DUI, felony resisting arrest, and related charges, following a crash investigation in Felton.

On April 21, 2026, at approximately 12:15 p.m., a trooper was flagged down by a motorist who reported a that a red vehicle had struck a pole on Main Street in Felton. When the trooper arrived in the area, he found a red Chevrolet HHR that had struck a mailbox and was on the curb on Main Street near Dundee Road. The trooper contacted the driver, identified as Ashley Green, and saw she was talking on a phone; however, no one was on the line. Green showed several signs of impairment, but when the trooper asked her to exit the vehicle, she refused, and actively resisted arrest. Green resisted through a taser deployment and spit on several troopers before she was taken into custody.

A computer check showed that Green had four prior DUI-related convictions.

Green was taken to Troop 3, where she was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $12,003 secured bond.

• 5th Offense Driving a Vehicle under the Influence of any Drug (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence (Felony)
• Offensive Touching of Another with Saliva, Urine, Feces, or Other Bodily Fluid – 4 counts
• Crash Related Traffic Charges

The Delaware State Police is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred late Wednesday night in New Castle.

On April 22, 2026, at approximately 9:50 p.m., troopers responded to the southbound lanes of North Dupont Highway, near Bacon Avenue, for a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. The preliminary investigation revealed a Ram 2500 was traveling behind a tractor trailer on southbound North Dupont Highway, south of Bacon Avenue. The Ram changed lanes, and pedestrian entered the roadway from Manor Park Shopping Center into the path of the Ram. As a result, the front of the Ram struck the pedestrian.

The pedestrian, a 71-year-old man from New Castle, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The Ram’s driver, a 53-year-old man from New Castle, and a passenger were not injured.

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

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Investigators ask anyone who witnessed the collision, or has video, 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.

The Delaware State Police have identified 26-year-old Jose Calvo Velasquez, of Laurel, Delaware, as the man who died in the fatal bicycle crash Sunday night in Laurel.

The investigation is still ongoing by the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit.  Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information to contact Master Corporal K. Argo at (302) 703-3264. 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 has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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 38-year-old Jeffrey Neifert, of New Ringgold, Pennsylvania, on felony firearm and related offenses in connection with a road rage incident Monday morning in Felton.

On April 20, 2026, at approximately 9:40 a.m., the Kent County 9-1-1 Center received a report of a road rage incident involving a firearm on South Dupont Highway near Killens Pond Road. The suspect vehicle was described as a Dodge Ram pickup truck. A short time later, a trooper patrolling the area saw a Dodge Ram matching the description and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Jeffrey Neifert. During the investigation, the trooper recovered a switchblade from Neifert and a loaded handgun from inside the vehicle.

The preliminary investigation revealed that while traveling on South Dupont Highway near Irish Hill Road, Neifert displayed a handgun during a road rage confrontation with another driver.

Neifert was arrested without incident and taken to Troop 3. He was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $78,000 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony) – 2 counts
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)

The Delaware State Police have arrested 33-year-old Mirna Lopez, of Dover, Delaware, for felony 5th offense DUI, drug, and related traffic charges, following a traffic stop in Dover.

On April 19, 2026, at approximately 4:40 a.m., a trooper saw a Hyundai Santa Fe speeding northbound on Bay Road near Transportation Circle. The trooper pulled the Hyundai over and spoke to the driver, identified as Mirna Lopez, who showed multiple signs of impairment. Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were administered, and after the tests, she was arrested for driving under the influence. During an inventory search of the Hyundai, the trooper found approximately .20 grams of cocaine.

A computer check showed that Lopez had four prior DUI-related convictions.

Lopez was taken to Troop 3, where she was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on an $8,000 cash bond.

• 5^th Offense DUI (Felony)
• Possess, Consume a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance Except Human Growth Hormone Without a Prescription
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Driving while Suspended or Revoked
• Speeding
• Failure to Have Insurance Identification in Possession

Delaware State Police have identified 72-year-old James Matthews, of Newark, Delaware, as the man who died in the fatal crash on Saturday afternoon in Wilmington.

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki at (302) 365-8417. 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 bicycle crash that occurred last night in Laurel.

On April 19, 2026, at approximately 9:10 p.m., a man was riding his bicycle, in the westbound lane of travel, on Shiloh Church Road approaching Turkey Knob Road. At the same time, a Ford Explorer was also traveling westbound on Shiloh Church Road approaching Turkey Knob Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that the right front of the Explorer struck the bicycle, and the rider was ejected.

The bicyclist, who has not yet been identified, was taken to an area hospital where he died.

The driver of the Explorer, a 75-year-old-man from Delmar, Delaware, was not injured.

The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The investigation is still ongoing by the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit.  Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information to contact Master Corporal K. Argo at (302) 703-3264. 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 has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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 35-year-old Michelle Palazzolo of Wilmington, Delaware, for vehicular homicide and traffic-related charges following a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on Saturday afternoon in Wilmington.

On April 18, 2026, at approximately 2:20 p.m., a gray Toyota Prius was traveling eastbound in the right left-turn lane of Rocky Run Parkway at Concord Pike. The Toyota had a green arrow traffic signal to turn left onto Concord Pike northbound. At the same time, a white Ford Taurus was traveling in the center lane of Concord Pike southbound, approaching Rocky Run Parkway. The Ford had a red traffic signal. As the Toyota entered the intersection, the Ford failed to stop at the red light. The front of the Ford collided with the left side of the Toyota.

The driver of the Toyota, a 72-year-old man from Newark, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital, where he died. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The driver of the Ford, identified as Michelle Palazzolo, was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Palazzolo showed signs of impairment at the time of the crash.

Concord Pike was closed for approximately 3.5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

Palazzolo was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $10,250 secured bond.

• Vehicular Homicide 2^nd Degree Driving Under the Influence (Felony)
• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
• Failure to Have Required Insurance
• Failure to Stop at a Red Light

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki at (302) 365-8417. 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 have arrested 45-year-old Joseph Chapler, from Dover, Delaware, following an assault and aggravated menacing incident that occurred Thursday night in Dover.

On April 16, 2026, at approximately 10:20 p.m., troopers responded to the parking lot of Microtel, located at 1703 East Lebanon Road in Dover for a report of an assault and aggravated menacing. When troopers arrived, they learned that a man and woman were walking on a path behind the Microtel when they were approached by an unknown male suspect. The suspect threatened the victims, pointed a gun at them, and sprayed the female victim with pepper spray before running away. The victims ran to safety and called 9-1-1. The female victim was treated by EMS but refused medical attention.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Joseph Chapler as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On April 17th, Chapler was arrested and taken to Troop 3, 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 $94,001 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Assault 2nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 2 counts
• Terroristic Threatening – 2 counts
• Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree

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.