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Delaware police investigating alleged officer assault of woman during traffic stop

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Delaware police investigating alleged officer assault of woman during traffic stop


A Delaware woman who was allegedly assaulted by New Castle County police during a traffic stop on June 29 gave her first public comments Tuesday about the stop and her arrest.

Bystander and police body camera video show N’Finitee Coleman being detained by four officers in a parking lot where she was stopped by police.

“My hair was pulled up and down,” Coleman said during Tuesday’s press conference. “My head was punched by a male and by a female. I have constant migraines.”

In police body camera footage, released by the New Castle County Police Department, an officer can be seen stepping out of his vehicle after he pulls Coleman over. He approaches Coleman’s car and asks her to step out of the vehicle.

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In this screenshot from bodycam footage released by the New Castle County Police Department, N’finitee Coleman is shown during a traffic stop.

New Castle County Police Department

The officer tells Coleman she was being arrested for multiple unsafe lane changes, not using a turn signal, and because her registration was suspended for no insurance.

“An officer with the New Castle County Division of Police was traveling in the area of Walther Road and Pulaski Highway when he observed a car commit several traffic violations,” New Castle County Police said in a statement obtained by ABC News. “The officer was also able to confirm that the car’s registration was suspended without insurance and observed an old bullet hole in the driver’s side door that had police evidence markings on it. The officer activated his emergency lights behind the car at Pulaski Highway and Wellington Drive to initiate a traffic stop. However, the car continued down Pulaski Highway, making the right turn onto Brookmont Drive. The car then continued to the Royal Farms parking lot before backing into a parking space.”

The body cam video shows Coleman refusing the officer’s instructions to exit the car and asking for his supervisor. The officer then pulls her car door open. The two of them argue for a few minutes, with Coleman continuing to refuse to comply with instructions to exit her vehicle, until other officers arrive on the scene.

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Three male officers can then be seen on body cam video pulling Coleman out of her car and forcing her to the ground. A female officer is then seen arriving on the scene as the other three policemen struggle with Coleman on the ground. The female officer proceeds to punch Coleman in the head area multiple times. One of the male officers is also seen throwing punches in body camera video as he claims that Coleman is holding his foot.

N’Finitee Coleman said that she was assaulted by New Castle County, Delaware police during a traffic stop on June 29.

The Igwe Firm

Coleman was eventually handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle. In addition to traffic violations, she was charged with two counts of offensive touching of law enforcement, one count of resisting arrest, and one count of disorderly conduct, according to New Castle County police.

Emeka Igwe, Coleman’s lawyer, said at Tuesday’s press conference that his client had legitimate registration for her car at the time of the incident.

“I do think there is a perception out there that when an officer approaches someone who may have an attitude or may be mouthy that they can then do whatever, whether retaliate with force or assault,” Igwe said. “That’s not OK. As an officer, you’re trained to be a professional. You’re going to encounter people with mental health challenges.”

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Coleman claimed at the press conference that she has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and her anxiety and PTSD were contributing reasons for her “verbally aggressive” behavior during the traffic stop.

“The New Castle County Division of Police Professional Standards Unit is conducting an administrative investigation to determine whether the officer’s actions were within policy,” the New Castle County Police Department said in a statement. “Additionally, the Division’s Use of Force Review Unit is conducting a use-of-force analysis, including a detailed video examination. Finally, the incident was referred to the Delaware Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust. These investigations and reviews are still ongoing.”

The Delaware Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust nor the New Castle County attorney’s office did not immediately respond to ABC News requests for comment. The New Castle County Police Department declined to comment when ABC News asked if any of the officers involved with Coleman’s arrest have been disciplined.



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Delaware

Man’s body discovered off Route 40 in New Castle, Delaware

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Man’s body discovered off Route 40 in New Castle, Delaware


Monday, March 30, 2026 11:29AM

Man's body discovered off Route 40 in New Castle County, Del.

NEW CASTLE, Del. (WPVI) — An investigation is underway in Delaware after police discovered a man’s decomposing body in New Castle County.

The remains were found near Route 40 and Appleby Road in New Castle on Sunday afternoon.

The Action Cam was at the scene as Delaware State Police converged on the area after the discovery.

Authorities say the decomposing body is that of an unidentified man.

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An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Delaware

Delaware River Bridge receives $600 million for replacement

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Delaware River Bridge receives 0 million for replacement


From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

The Delaware River Bridge will be replaced following a $600 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, revitalizing a main connector between Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Burlington County, New Jersey.

According to a joint release from U.S. Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman, D, and Dave McCormick, R, the funds will “advance” the PA Turnpike/I-95 Interchange Program. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission said the program is designed to reduce congestion on County roadways and improve traffic flow in the Philadelphia region.

Fetterman and McCormick called the $600 million going towards the project “one of the most consequential infrastructure commitments in Pennsylvania’s history.”

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“The Delaware River Bridge is not just a Pennsylvania asset; it is a backbone of our national freight and passenger transportation network,” the statement read. “This funding will make it safer and more resilient for the commuters, families, and businesses that depend on it every single day.”



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Firefighters battle two-alarm commercial building fire in Delaware County

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Firefighters battle two-alarm commercial building fire in Delaware County


Sunday, March 29, 2026 1:20PM

Firefighters battle two-alarm commercial building fire in Delaware County

ASTON, Pa. (WPVI) — Delaware County firefighters battled a fire at a commercial building in Aston.

The fire broke out on the 2000 block of Dutton Mill Road.

Crews say when they arrived, flames could be seen coming from the rear of a commercial building.

The fire was upgraded to two alarms, causing more crews to be called in.

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The flames were brought under control about an hour later.

No injuries have been reported, and authorities are investigating the cause.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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