Delaware State Police Divisional Headquarters, Dover – The Delaware State Police Superintendent, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., announces the promotion of Major Melissa A. Zebley to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on August 18, 2019.

Major Zebley is a 27-year member of the Division and was appointed as a trooper in July of 1992. Upon completion of her academy training, she was assigned to Troop 6, Prices Corner. In September 1997 she was transferred to the academy as a Drill Instructor. She served that function until December 2001.  In April 2002 Zebley was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to Troop 1, Penny Hill.  She served as a patrol supervisor until October 2005 when she was transferred to the Public Information Office and later assumed the role of Director. In February 2007 she was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to Headquarters as the Fiscal Officer for the Division. In April 2009 she was transferred to Troop 2 near Glasgow where she was in charge of patrol operations for the troop. In August 2009 Zebley was promoted to Captain and was transferred to Troop 1 as the Commander. In September 2010, she was promoted to Major and served on the Executive Staff as the Administrative Officer and the New Castle County Operations Officer.

In 1991, Major Zebley graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science Degree. She also graduated from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in 2000. She continued her education and earned a Master of Science Degree in 2003 from Wilmington University. Major Zebley is a 2008 graduate of the 235th  Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) National Academy. In addition, she has been a Wilmington University adjunct instructor and a program assistant for the Criminal Justice Program. She has organized the annual Women in Criminal Justice Leadership Conference since its inception in 2005.

“Major Zebley has been steadfast in her commitment to serve the citizens of Delaware and the Delaware State Police. She has distinguished herself at every level of the organization. Her leadership, knowledge, and experience will continue to bring tremendous value to our Executive Staff.  She will be instrumental in the future success of the Delaware State Police.” Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Superintendent of the Delaware State Police

Released: 080819 0725

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Millsboro, Delaware – The Delaware State Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are currently conducting a joint death investigation that began on Wednesday at approximately 2:32 p.m. on August 7, 2019.

The preliminary investigation has determined that a 9-1-1 called was placed to the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center for a report of a fire on Scarp Street located in Pot Nets Development Bayside, Millsboro. As first responders arrived on scene the rear part of the residence was engulfed in flames and was quickly extinguished by the responding fire departments. Upon entering into the residence and through the heavy smoke three children were found deceased all under the age of five years old.

While the residence was on fire, one other child was safely removed from the residence by a parent. The child was transported to the Beebe Medical Center for a medical evaluation and was treated and released.

The three children victims who perished in the fire were turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science where an autopsy will be performed to determine the manner and cause of death.

This is an active and ongoing investigation and is in its early stages with further information being released as it becomes available.

Please contact Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio at 302-593-9002 for any inquiries related to the fire investigation.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov

Presented by the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released: 080719 1945

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Wilmington – Utility crews have completed the repairs to the effected utilities and all lanes of Concord Pike in the area of Silverside have been re-opened.

Clink on the following links to view related releases:

https://dsp.delaware.gov/2019/08/06/traffic-advisory-concord-pike-closed-at-silverside-rd-due-to-downed-utility-poles-north-wilmington/

https://dsp.delaware.gov/2019/08/07/update-traffic-advisory-southbound-concord-pike-remains-closed-between-silverside-rd-and-naamans-rd-due-to-downed-utility-poles/

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:080719 1500

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Harbeson, Delaware – The Delaware State Police have identified the driver who was killed in a crash that occurred on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, on U.S. 9 just east of Josephs Road, Harbeson as 50-year-old David H. Pierson Jr. of Milton, Delaware.

The crash continues to remain under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.

Troopers Investigating Fatal Crash – Harbeson

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov

Presented by the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released: 080719 1416

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Claymont – The Delaware State Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Claymont gas station that occurred Tuesday night.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:13 p.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2019 at the BP gas station, located at 3421 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont. Two male suspects with their faces concealed, entered the business and confronted an employee at the sales counter. One suspect produced a handgun and held the employee at gunpoint while the second suspect removed cash from the register and tobacco products from the display. The suspects were last seen fleeing on foot on Philadelphia Pike towards Wiltshire Ave. The employee was not injured as a result of the incident.

Suspect # 1 was described as a white male, 20-30 years of age, 5’9”-5’10” tall, wearing all dark clothing, a cloth covering his face and in possession of a handgun.

Suspect #2 was described as a black male, 20-30 years of age, 5’6”-5’9” tall, wearing all dark clothing and a cloth covering his face.

No surveillance images are available at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Troop 2 Robbery Unit by calling 302-365-8566.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us. 

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Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:080819 1300

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Wilmington – Southbound Concord Pike (Rt. 202) remains closed between Silverside Rd. and Naaman’s Rd. due to repairs to utility poles. At approximately 8:41 p.m., Tuesday, August 6, a tractor trailer struck a struck a utility pole on Concord Pike in the area of Garden of Eden Rd. which downed additional poles.

Utility crews have been working throughout the night however repair work is estimated to continue throughout the morning and possibly into the afternoon. Southbound Concord Pike between Naaman’s Rd. and Silverside Rd. will remain closed during this time.

For updated road closure and traffic information log onto:

http://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/travel_advisory/index.shtml#advisories

Click on the following link to view the original release:

https://dsp.delaware.gov/2019/08/06/traffic-advisory-concord-pike-closed-at-silverside-rd-due-to-downed-utility-poles-north-wilmington/

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:080719 0730

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Wilmington – The southbound lanes of Concord Pike ( Rt. 202) are closed at Silverside Rd. due to a tractor trailer colliding with a utility pole in the area of Garden of Eden Rd. The collision, which occurred at approximately 8:41 p.m., Tuesday, August 6, has downed multiple poles in the area and has caused a power outage. The southbound lanes are totally closed with all traffic being diverted onto Silverside Rd. The northbound lanes are being intermittently effected but remain open at this time. The closure is anticipated to be lengthy and motorists are being advised to avoid the area. There are no reported injuries associated with the collision.

For updated road closure and traffic information log onto:

http://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/travel_advisory/index.shtml#advisories

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:080619 2135

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Houston, Delaware – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred last month northwest of Houston.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:12 p.m., Monday, July 29, 2019, as the operator of a 2002 Jeep Liberty was traveling westbound on Milford-Harrington Highway (SR14) approaching Bloomfield Drive. The driver failed to negotiate a moderate left curve in the roadway and exited the north edge of the roadway and struck a mailbox with the right, rear portion of the vehicle. The driver then overcorrected and turned abruptly back to the left and re-entered the Milford-Harrington Highway in the westbound lane. As the driver turned abruptly back to the right it caused the vehicle to go into a steering induced yaw as it exited the north edge of the roadway. Upon exiting the north edge of roadway the vehicle continued to rotate in a clockwise direction as it traveled northbound into a cornfield. The left tires of the vehicle gouged into the ground causing the vehicle to overturn on the driver’s side. The vehicle came to rest upside down with the front of the vehicle facing in an easterly direction.

The driver, Chelsea A. Wooters, 30 of Harrington, sustained serious injuries and was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Bay Health Sussex Campus. She was later flown to the Christiana Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, August 5, 2019.

The roadway was closed for approximately two hours while the investigation was completed and the roadway was cleared.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

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Presented by the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released:080619 2105

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Laurel, Delaware – The Delaware State Police are currently conducting a death investigation relating to a vehicle accident that occurred this morning north of Laurel.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at approximately 11:07 a.m., when troopers were dispatched to a private residence on Fire Tower Road, Laurel in reference to a death investigation as a result of a vehicle accident. A 2012 Ford Escape, operated by a 77-year-old female, was initially traveling northbound on private property before coming to a complete stop in front of a private dumpster. After coming to a complete stop, the operator exited her vehicle and walked to the rear of the SUV in order to retrieve some garbage that she intended to throw into the dumpster. As she exited the vehicle, the vehicle was not placed in park. Upon reaching the rear of the vehicle, the SUV began to roll backward and knocked her onto the ground where she was subsequently overrun by the left side tires. There were no passengers inside the vehicle when this incident occurred.

The victim, 77 of Seaford, was located by family members. She was pronounced deceased at the scene and was transported to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science. This incident occurred on private property, and no roadways were closed during the investigation.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov

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Presented by the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released:080619 1957

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Harbeson, Delaware – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal vehicle crash that occurred earlier this morning.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at approximately 7:52 a.m., as a 2016 Ford Transit work van, operated by a 50-year-old male of Milton, was traveling eastbound on US 9 just east of Josephs Road. At the same time, a 2015 Isuzu six-wheel box truck, operated by a 56-year-old male of Milford, was traveling westbound on US 9 in the same area approaching the work van. For unknown reasons, the Ford Transit work van crossed the center line and entered the westbound travel lane in front of the box truck. The driver of the box truck attempted to swerve his vehicle to the right to avoid the impact but was unsuccessful. As a result, the left side front of the Ford Transit van struck the left side of the Isuzu Box Truck for impact within the westbound travel lane. After the collision, the box truck continued westbound a short distance as it rotated counter-clockwise and rolled onto its right side. The box truck came to rest on its right side on the westbound shoulder of US 9. The Ford Transit Van was forced to rotate approximately 180 degrees and came to rest, upright, in the westbound travel lane, facing west.

The driver of the Ford Transit Van was transported by ambulance to the Beebe Hospital where he was pronounced deceased as a result of the injuries he sustained in the collision. It is unknown at this time if his seat belt was worn at the time of the collision. His name is being withheld at this time pending the notification of next of kin.

The driver of the Isuzu Box Truck was properly restrained. He was transported by ambulance to the Beebe Hospital where he was treated and released for minor non-life threatening injuries.

Speed and impairment do not appear to be factors for either operator in this collision.

(U.S. 9) Lewes-Georgetown Highway was closed for approximately four hours during the investigation and the cleanup efforts. The crash continues to remain under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.

The Delaware State Police Reconstruction Unit is asking anyone that has information in reference to this crash or anyone who may have witnessed this collision to please contact Cpl/3 J. Burns of Troop 7, Lewes at (302)-703-3266.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

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Presented by the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released:080619 1835

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