A motorcyclist fleeing a traffic stop struck five University of Delaware students on the first day of class, killing an 18-year-old freshman from New Jersey. The other four students were treated for minor injuries.
The incident occurred after a university police officer attempted to stop a motorcyclist from committing traffic offenses on East Main and South Chapel streets. Police say the driver ignored the officer’s emergency lights and sped westbound on East Main, where he struck the vehicle in a crosswalk just west of North College Avenue less than one minute later. He was thrown from the bike, which slid further down the street, striking a light pole and the other four students.
The driver, 27, was charged with murder in the second degree, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, disregarding a police officer’s signal, driving a special vehicle without a special license, operation of an unregistered motor vehicle, and failure to stop at a red light.
Attempts to save the freshman’s life were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Many of her friends and classmates witnessed the crash, the university reported.
McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC is a full-service personal injury law firm. To learn more about our services or schedule a free consultation, call 215-569-8488 or contact us online. Located in Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, we serve clients in the surrounding areas.