Delaware State Police have identified 58-year-old Purnell Collins of Seaford, Delaware, as the man who died in the fatal crash Saturday night in Blades.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant 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 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 motor vehicle collision that occurred Saturday night in Blades after a suspect fled from an attempted traffic stop and caused a three-vehicle crash.

On September 6, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., a trooper from Troop 5 attempted to stop a Chevrolet Silverado for a registration violation by activating the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights while on Seaford Road, just outside the town limits of Blades. The vehicle was displaying a temporary tag that had expired in February and had been flagged as not valid for operation on public roads.

The driver sped north at a high rate of speed. As Seaford Road becomes Market Street within Blades, the suspect vehicle entered the town limits. Less than a minute after the pursuit began, the fleeing Silverado crossed into oncoming traffic on Market Street and crashed.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the Silverado struck a Ford F-150 head-on in the southbound left turn lane of Market Street, just north of East High Street. The impact pushed the F-150 backward, causing its rear end to hit the front bumper of a Chevrolet Camaro, which had been traveling south behind the F-150.

The driver of the fleeing Chevrolet Silverado, a 58-year-old man from Seaford, Delaware, was not properly restrained and was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The driver of the Ford F-150, a 34-year-old man from Laurel, Delaware, was wearing a seatbelt and was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was later released.

The driver of the Chevrolet Camaro, a 20-year-old man from Delmar, Maryland, was also wearing a seatbelt and declined medical treatment at the scene.

The roadway was partially shut down for approximately five hours while members of the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated and cleared the roadway.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked 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 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 shooting that occurred late Friday evening in Claymont.

On September 5, 2025, at approximately 11:30 p.m., troopers were dispatched to the scene of a shooting in the area of Ridge Liquors, located at 315 Ridge Road in Claymont, after receiving information that a 34-year-old man had arrived at a Pennsylvania hospital with gunshot wounds.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, who is from Pennsylvania, was in the parking lot of Ridge Liquors when unidentified suspects shot him. He was later able to drive himself to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation and is actively pursuing leads. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could assist with the investigation is asked to contact Detective M. Conway at (302) 365-8411. 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 identified 59-year-old Joseph Laclair of Clayton, Delaware, as the man who died in the fatal motorcycle crash on Friday morning in Smyrna.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate the crash. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Sergeant J. Wilson at (302) 698-8518. 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 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 at their current address. If anyone knows the location of these individuals, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

Note: Some of the individuals listed below are also homeless. Their profiles will not be duplicated in the separate homeless sex offender news release, as their wanted status is already reflected here and within their public sex offender registry listing.

The following individual is not wanted for failing to register or re-register at their current address. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed individual is occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred early this morning in Smyrna.

On September 5, 2025, at approximately 4:16 a.m., a Yamaha X1A was traveling eastbound on Smyrna-Leipsic Road east of Big Oak Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that the motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve and exited the south edge of the roadway. As a result, the motorcycle entered a ditch, struck a culvert pipe, and the driver was ejected.

The driver, a 59-year-old man from Clayton, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital where he died. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

Smyrna-Leipsic Road was closed for an extended time while the scene was investigated and cleared.

Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate the crash. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Sergeant J. Wilson at (302) 698-8518. 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 shooting that occurred early this morning in Frankford, leaving two people injured.

On September 4, 2025, at approximately 2:41 a.m., troopers responded to the area of Honolulu Road and Reed Street in Frankford for a report of a shooting. When troopers arrived, they found a 27-year-old man from Frankford and a 38-year-old woman from Selbyville who had both sustained injuries.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were traveling in the area when unknown suspects fired multiple gunshots at their vehicle. The female victim suffered injuries from glass debris, and the male victim sustained both debris-related injuries and a gunshot wound to his hand. They were both taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to actively investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective K. Perry at 302-752-3793. 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 a 19-year-old Avery Quartlebaum of Claymont in connection with a robbery that occurred last month at a McDonald’s in Claymont.

Details of the initial investigation and the arrest of a 17-year-old suspect were previously provided in an update.

On September 2, 2025, Avery Quartlebaum turned himself in at Delaware State Police Troop 1. He was charged with the following offenses:

• Robbery Second Degree (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

Quartlebaum was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

Delaware State Police have identified 31-year-old Sean Hannon of Elkton, Maryland, as the man who died in the fatal two-vehicle crash on Monday morning in Middletown.

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 Corporal K. Oakes 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 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.