Delaware
Delaware slated to receive over $27M in settlement with Purdue Pharma, Sackler family

Supreme Court rejects multi-billion dollar settlement with Purdue
The Supreme Court upended a settlement with Purdue, toppling an agreement that shielded the family responsible for oxycontin from future damages.
A settlement reached with the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma will bring over $27 million to the First State, roughly half of what was originally anticipated before a Supreme Court decision put settlement funds in limbo last year.
Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings on Thursday announced a $7.4 billion settlement with members of the Sackler family and their company, Purdue Pharma Inc., for their “instrumental role in creating the opioid crisis.”
The First State is poised to receive over $27 million from the settlement.
“This is a bittersweet moment for everyone who has continued to fight to hold the Sacklers and Purdue accountable,” Jennings said in a news release. “Nothing can bring back what we’ve lost – but, if approved, this agreement would deliver over $27 million to Delawareans right away.”
Last year, the Supreme Court upended the high-profile bankruptcy settlement with the makers of oxycontin and toppled an agreement that shielded the Sackler family from responsibility for future damages to victims of the opioid epidemic. During those earlier talks, Delaware had estimated receiving nearly $50 million from the settlement.
The 5-4 decision Supreme Court decision blocked a negotiated bankruptcy settlement the Sacklers had reached to pay victims $6 billion and avoid future litigation.
While most victims supported the settlement with Purdue, the Justice Department stepped in, questioning whether the courts could shield the Sacklers from future civil lawsuits − a practice that has been used in major bankruptcies dealing with harms caused by asbestos and silicone breast implants, USA TODAY reported in June.
The renegotiated settlement is the nation’s largest settlement to date with individuals responsible for contributing to the opioid crisis.
The Sackler history
The Sackler family made its fortune selling Oxycontin, a drug that fueled the nation’s opioid epidemic, through their company Purdue Pharma.
Under the family’s leadership, Purdue “invented, manufactured, and aggressively marketed opioid products for decades, fueling waves of addiction and overdose deaths across the country,” according to the release.
If the latest settlement is approved, it will make public over 30 million documents related to the company and the Sacklers’ opioid business.
The settlement
In addition to the money to those harmed by the opioid epidemic, the settlement also ends the Sacklers’ control of Purdue and “bars them from selling opioids in the United States.”
A board of trustees – selected by “participating states in consultation with the other creditors – will determine Purdue’s future. The company will be overseen by a monitor and will be unable to market opioids.
Delaware will receive over $27 million immediately, according to the state Department of Justice. The prior agreement would have “deferred payments” over 18 years.
Justice Department officials said in the release that the immediate payment protects against the Sacklers not paying, while also ensuring Delaware can address the crisis right away.
Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-598-5507. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

Delaware
Wilmington mother seeks justice 3 years after son’s murder in Philadelphia

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — Three years after her son was fatally shot in West Philadelphia, Kameelah Torrance is still searching for answers and justice.
Samyr Walker, 19, was killed on September 4, 2022, while delivering food in his mother’s car. Torrance said Walker’s own vehicle had broken down the night before, prompting him to borrow hers to earn extra money.
“I get a phone call, I’m thinking it’s him,” Torrance recalled.
Philadelphia police said the shooting occurred around 1:45 p.m. at the Chick-A-Boom restaurant drive-thru on 46th Street and Lancaster Avenue. While waiting for his food, Walker reportedly had an interaction with another driver.
“What I’m guessing is maybe he was on his phone and he accidentally tapped the bumper, which is what happened,” Torrance said.
Police said the altercation escalated when gunshots were fired from the suspect’s car as Walker exited his vehicle to retrieve his order. A passenger in Walker’s car also returned fire. Authorities believe the motive was road rage.
According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, detectives located the vehicle believed to be involved and interviewed both the owner and the reported driver. However, no arrests have been made.
The DA’s office said it has extended victim support services to Walker’s family and the affected community.
Torrance described her son, affectionately called “Meer Meer,” as “a very happy-go-lucky kid.”
“Every time you see him, he was always smiling, silly, liked to have fun, very family oriented,” said Torrance.
She said the lack of closure has made the loss even harder to bear.
“No closure, sleepless nights, it’s just been horrible,” she said. “It’s not fair that my son is gone and you’re walking around free, freely doing whatever. His life was cut short.”
Torrance said she still texts Walker’s phone number and mourns the future he was denied.
“He won’t be able to get married, have children, become something of himself. He was robbed of that and it’s not fair,” she said.
Police say the investigation remains active and ongoing. Torrance and law enforcement are urging anyone with information to come forward.
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Delaware
*Update – Victim Identified* State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Delaware State Police have identified 14-year-old Reis Yoc-Santos, of Dover, Delaware, as the teenager who died in the fatal crash involving a school bus and an electric bicycle that occurred Friday afternoon in Dover.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Master Corporal W. Booth at (302) 698-8451. 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.
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Delaware
14-year-old boy dead, one teen hospitalized after e-bike runs stop sign, collides with bus in Delaware

DOVER, Del. – A tragic crash involving a school bus and an electric bicycle claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy in Dover.
Deadly collision with bus
What we know:
The crash happened around 4 p.m. on West Lebanon Road as a school bus was turning onto Royal Grant Way, according to police. The electric bicycle, ridden by a 16-year-old with a 14-year-old passenger, did not stop at a posted bicycle stop sign and collided with the bus.
The 14-year-old passenger of the e-bike was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The 16-year-old operator suffered serious injuries. Neither of the teenagers were wearing a helmet, police said.
The bus was affiliated with the Caesar Rodney School District and driven by a 75-year-old man from Magnolia, who was not injured. Twenty-one students on the bus were unharmed.
The road was closed for about four hours for investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit. The investigation is still ongoing.
Ongoing questions for authorities
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward. Witnesses can contact Master Corporal W. Booth or send a message to the Delaware State Police.
If you have information, reach out to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333. Victims and witnesses needing support can contact the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit at 1-800-VICTIM-1.
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