New Castle, DE- The Delaware State Police continue their investigation into an early Sunday morning crime spree and are asking for the public’s help. 

On March 13, 2022, Brittallia Semaan, 30, of New Castle, was arrested for two carjacking’s, kidnapping, and multiple collisions, including a fatal pedestrian crash. As this investigation continues, detectives are seeking information from anyone who may have been in or around the SR9 corridor between 8:45 a.m.- 9:30 a.m., with potential videos, witness information, or were potential victims to contact Detective Bridget Harris with the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit by calling 302-365-8410. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com

*UPDATE #3* Suspect Charged with Kidnapping, Carjackings, Fatal Pedestrian Crash and Crashes

*UPDATE #2* Investigation Continues into Carjackings and Fatal Pedestrian Crash

*UPDATE- Delaware State Police Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Collision Caused by Carjacking Suspect

Traffic Advisory- Multiple Roadways in New Castle Closed for Crashes

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 1800 VICTIM-1. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 031622 0001

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New Castle– Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred Sunday morning in New Castle.

On Sunday March 13, 2022, at approximately 9:34 a.m., Brittalia Semaan, 30, of New Castle, was operating a stolen 2018 Chevrolet Trax southbound on Route 9 in the area of Boothurst Boulevard. At this time, a pedestrian later identified as Joseph Stanavich, 47, of New Castle was walking southbound on the right shoulder of Route 9, just south of Boothhurst Boulevard. The Trax which was traveling at a high-rate of speed, for unknown reasons left the right lane of travel and struck the pedestrian within the right shoulder. After the collision, Semaan fled southbound on Route 9 in the stolen Chevrolet Trax. Semaan was subsequently apprehended in the area of Route 9 and Hamburg Road after a separate collision.

Stanavich was transported to a nearby hospital by EMS, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. Identification of the victim is pending notification to next of kin.

Semaan was not injured in the crash and was transported to Troop 2 where she was charged with Vehicular Homicide 2^nd Degree (Felony), Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Death (Felony), Failing to Report a Collision Resulting in Death, and Failing to Maintain Lane of Travel.

Semaan was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Correctional Institution on $47,000 cash bond.

This case remains an active investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact Cpl/3 John Breen by calling 302-365-8486 or emailing john.breen@delaware.gov. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://delawarecrimestoppersweb.com/

*Please see attached updates below for additional information on related incidents and charges.*

*UPDATE* Troopers Investigating Two Carjacking’s, Fatal Pedestrian Crash and Multiple Crashes With Suspect in Custody

*UPDATE #2* Investigation Continues into Carjacking’s and Fatal Pedestrian Crash

*UPDATE #3* Suspect Charged with Kidnapping, Carjacking’s, Fatal Pedestrian Crash and Crashes

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 1800 VICTIM-1. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 031422 1307

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Dover – Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offenders after they either failed to register or re-register their current address. If anyone knows the location of these subjects, they are asked to call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 031322 2307

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Dover– The following subjects are not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed subjects are occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 031322 2255

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New Castle, DE- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating an incident where a suspect carjacked two vehicles and was involved in multiple collisions, involving a fatal pedestrian crash before being taken into custody.

At approximately 9:30 A.M., troopers were called to the 4000 block of New Castle Ave (Rt 9) for a reported carjacking. Initial reports from the scene indicated a female subject allegedly car jacked a victim and fled southbound on Rt. 9. Moments later, the suspect, still in the initial stolen vehicle, struck a pedestrian in the area of Rt 9 and Boothhurst Blvd. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect continued to flee, and struck another pedestrian, causing minor injuries, in Old New Castle in the area South Street and 6th Street. She fled the scene and was involved in another collision on Washington Street. The suspect committed a second carjacking at this location, and kidnapped an adult victim who was still in the car. The suspect fled to southbound River Road where she ultimately crashed again in the area of Hamburg Rd. An off-duty police officer and a former law enforcement officer, who witnessed part of the incident, apprehended the suspect at the final crash scene. Troopers arrived on scene and took the suspect into custody without further incident. This is preliminary information and further details will be released when known and confirmed.

We appreciate the publics continued patience and understanding as we work diligently to investigate this incident.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 031322 1443

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New Castle, DE- Delaware State Police are currently conducting multiple accident investigations in New Castle County. As a result, the following roadways are closed:

• River Rd (Rte 9) at Federal School Lane, New Castle
• Intersection of SR 141 and SR 273, New Castle
• Castle Hill Drive to Edgewood Drive, New Castle
• Hamburg Rd off of Rt 13
• Rt 9 at Hamburg Road

Motorists should use alternate routes of travel to avoid delays. Additional information will be released regarding these crashes once it becomes available.

Presented by: Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 031322 1055

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Dover, DE- Delaware State Police Superintendent, Colonel Melissa A. Zebley, announced today the Delaware State Police launched a customized and confidential wellness app called the “DSP Wellness App”.

The “DSP Wellness App” is designed to help with mental health support and overall well-being for our civilian and sworn employees, employees families, and our retirees.

”We all realized that mental and physical wellness is critical to a professional and successful police agency,” Colonel Zebley stated. Troopers and civilian personnel are exposed to traumatic incidents at much higher rates than the general population making them more susceptible to mental health issues. This app offers confidential access to the employee assistance program, therapists, chaplain support, as well as resources and self-assessments for those individuals dealing with issues such as alcoholism, depression, emotional health, family support, finances, fitness, sleep optimization, and stress management.

These expanded resources on over 60 topics provide employee counseling services and 24/7 mental health care along with other mental and physical wellness tools.

The Delaware State Police remain committed to the overall wellness of all of our employees, both sworn and civilian and are excited to provide the “DSP Wellness App” as another tool available at their disposal.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 031122 1627

Millsboro, DE– Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred Thursday night in the Millsboro area.

On March 10, 2022, at approximately 9:18 p.m., a 2009 Nissan Versa operated by a 58-year-old Parsonsburg, MD woman was traveling north on Lowes Crossing Rd just south of Carey’s Camp Rd, approaching a sharp left-hand curve in the road. For an unknown reason, the driver failed to negotiate the curve and exited the east edge of the road before overcorrecting and losing control. The Nissan then re-entered Lowes Crossing Rd and began to slide sideways across both lanes of travel. It then exited the west edge of the road, struck a mailbox, and continued sliding before the left side collided into an unoccupied home in the 19000 block of Lowes Crossing Rd, causing minor damage.

The 58-year-old Parsonsburg, MD woman, was transported by EMS to an area hospital, where she died from her injuries during the early morning hours of March 11, 2022. Identification is pending notification to next of kin.

Lowes Crossing Road was closed for approximately 2 hours while the on-scene investigation was completed.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continue to investigate this crash. Anyone with information regarding the collision is asked to contact Cpl/1 James Smith by calling 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-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com

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 1800 VICTIM-1. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

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Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 031122 1515

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Sussex County, DE- Delaware State Police Troop 4 will be holding a Community Café on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. The event will be held at 9:00 a.m. at Indian River Fire House located at 32628 Oak Orchard Rd Millsboro, DE. The Community Café will have Troop 4 Administration and the Community Outreach Officer in attendance to meet and interact with members of the public. This Community Café is often referred to as “Coffee with a Cop” in other police agencies and is being held in an effort to build a stronger relationship between the Delaware State Police and the communities that we so proudly serve.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

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Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 031122 1255

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Laurel, DE- Delaware State Police are issuing a traffic advisory for Sussex Hwy southbound at Laurel Rd. The roadway is currently closed for an overturned house moving trailer. Motorists should seek alternate routes of travel to avoid delays.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

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Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 031122 1216

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