Delaware
Student from N.J. fatally struck by motorcycle fleeing police near U. of Delaware
A college student from New Jersey was fatally struck near the University of Delaware on Tuesday night by a motorcycle that was fleeing from police, officials said.
The 18-year-old woman, a freshman at the university, was struck in a crosswalk on East Main Street near North College Avenue shortly before midnight, in Newark, Delaware, that city’s police said in a Wednesday statement.
She was pronounced dead on the scene after bystanders attempted life-saving measures, police said. Her identity was being withheld pending notification of her family.
Tuesday was the first day of classes for the fall semester, the university calendar shows.
A University of Delaware police officer attempted to stop the motorcycle for a traffic offense about three blocks away from the crash scene at 11:53 p.m. The patrol officer terminated the pursuit after the motorcycle fled at a fast speed, Newark police said.
The student was struck within the next minute, officials said.
Following the crash, the driver came off of the motorcycle and it continued onto the sidewalk, striking four more people and a light pole, authorities said.
“Incidents such as this are unimaginably tragic,” University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis and Vice President José-Luis Riera said in a joint statement on Wednesday. “We cannot express enough how sorry we are for the family, friends, and greater community as we are all so deeply shaken by the sudden loss of one of our own. Our hearts are very heavy today.”
Three of the pedestrians hit on the sidewalk were treated on the scene and one was brought to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the motorcycle was also treated for non-life threatening injuries at the hospital.
The driver of the motorcycle has not been charged nor identified as the crash remained under investigation.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today toNJ.com.
Nicolas Fernandes may be reached atnfernandes@njadvancemedia.com
BOWERS BEACH, Del. – Delaware State Police say a body was found near Bowers Beach on Tuesday.
Around 12:40 p.m. on April 21, Delaware State Police, Delaware Natural Resources Police and local fire companies responded to the Delaware Bay, about a mile offshore from the Bowers Beach area after commercial watermen discovered an unknown deceased man in the water.
The victim was recovered and turned over to the Office of Forensic Science for identification and to determine the cause of death.
The investigation remains active and on-going.
Top headlines of the week, April 17 2026
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
The Humane Society of Delaware County has appointed a new leader as the organization’s longtime director moves toward retirement.
The animal rescue group’s board appointed Amanda Wampler as its new CEO, effective May 11, the organization posted on Facebook April 21.
Jana Cassidy, the humane society’s executive director for nearly a decade, is transitioning toward retirement and will now serve as chief operating officer in the near term to ensure a smooth transition.
The post from society Board President Megan Ricci says the board is confident Cassidy’s and Wampler’s experience, dedication and talents will elevate the humane society as it strives to build a new 22,000-square-foot facility that will be a go-to destination for adoption, veterinary care, training, boarding, and grooming.
“HSDC could not be in better hands than with these two extraordinary women,” the post reads.
Wampler is a proven nonprofit executive with experience in animal welfare and a demonstrated ability to help organizations expand and thrive, according to the humane society’s post.
Wampler currently is the national operations director for Siemer Institute, a Columbus-based organization that helps families across the U.S. achieve housing stability and enhance their children’s educational prospects, according to Wampler’s LinkedIn page. She also worked for the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department from 2016 to 2023.
Delaware County and eastern Columbus suburbs reporter Maria DeVito can be reached at mdevito@dispatch.com and @mariadevito13.dispatch.com on Bluesky and @MariaDeVito13 on X
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 5:44AM
WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — Something exciting is taking flight in the hallways of Warner Elementary School in Wilmington.
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer helped celebrate the launch of the state’s first elementary school streaming radio station on Tuesday.
“Flying High with Thunderbird Radio” will provide students with hands-on experience in broadcasting, public speaking, and content creation.
This innovative initiative empowers students to step behind the microphone and lead the way in digital storytelling, communication, and creativity.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
-
New York5 minutes agoMamdani Considers Delaying Pension-Fund Payments to Ease Budget Gap
-
Detroit, MI35 minutes agoThings to do in Metro Detroit, April 24 and beyond
-
San Francisco, CA47 minutes agoCA to open 3 new state parks and expand others, including in Bay Area: Here’s where
-
Dallas, TX53 minutes agoWild vs. Stars Game 3: Key takeaways as Dallas takes series lead on Wyatt Johnston’s 2OT winner
-
Miami, FL59 minutes agoMiami-Dade deputies detain elderly father who they say shot and killed his son after a domestic dispute
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoBoston has one of the best public markets in the country, says USA TODAY
-
Denver, CO1 hour agoRed flag fatigue? Colorado sees near-record number of critical fire days
-
Seattle, WA1 hour agoFOLLOWUP: West Seattle pickleball players band together to save court access