Listen Live

*Update – Suspect Arrested* State Police Investigating Two-Vehicle Fatal Crash in Seaford

Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 12:32 PM

Delaware State Police have arrested 24-year-old Luis Lucas-Mendez of Georgetown, Delaware for vehicular homicide, DUI, and related charges following a fatal crash that left two people dead. On October 6, 2024, at approximately 01:34 a.m., a 2016 Nissan Rogue was traveling southbound… The post *Update – Suspect Arrested* State Police Investigating Two-Vehicle Fatal Crash in Seaford appeared first on TV Delmarva .

Delaware State Police have arrested 24-year-old Luis Lucas-Mendez of Georgetown, Delaware for vehicular homicide, DUI, and related charges following a fatal crash that left two people dead.

On October 6, 2024, at approximately 01:34 a.m., a 2016 Nissan Rogue was traveling southbound on Sussex Highway in the left lane, south of Cannon Road. At the same time, a 2005 Honda Pilot was traveling northbound, also in the left southbound lane on Sussex Highway, into the Rogue’s path of travel. As a result, the front of the Rogue struck the front of the Pilot in the left southbound lane of Sussex Highway.

The driver of the Rogue, a 22-year-old man from Washington, D.C. and a back seat passenger, an 18-year-old woman from Bethesda, Maryland, were taken to an area hospital for critical injuries. Two other passengers, 22-year-old Eric Staley of Fayetteville, North Carolina and 18-year-old Makayla Belton of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Pilot, Luis Lucas-Mendez, was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. A passenger, a 40-year-old man from Georgetown, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital with critical injuries. The investigation revealed that Lucas-Mendez was driving under the influence at the time of the crash.

On October 9, 2024, after being released from the hospital, Lucas-Mendez was arrested and taken to Troop 2. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $30,201 cash bond.

  • Vehicular Homicide 2nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
  • Reckless Endangering 1st Degree (Felony)
  • Vehicular Assault 2nd Degree – 3 counts
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Driving without a Valid License
  • Failure to have Insurance Identification in Possession
  • Failure to Drive in Proper Lane and Direction

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Master Corporal K. Argo by calling (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 you 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 post *Update – Suspect Arrested* State Police Investigating Two-Vehicle Fatal Crash in Seaford appeared first on Delaware State Police – State of Delaware.

The post *Update – Suspect Arrested* State Police Investigating Two-Vehicle Fatal Crash in Seaford appeared first on TV Delmarva .

More from TV Delmarva Channel 14

  • *Attempt to Identify* Delaware State Police Detectives Investigating a Homicide in Laurel

    The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is asking for the public’s help in identifying suspects in a homicide that occurred in Laurel last year. On October 29, 2023, at approximately 2:47 p.m., Laurel Police Department and Delaware State Troopers responded to a… The post *Attempt to Identify* Delaware State Police Detectives Investigating a Homicide in Laurel appeared first on TV Delmarva .

  • New Castle County Governor’s Task Force Arrest Pair in Stolen Vehicle

    The Delaware State Police arrested 44-year-old Nick Oliveras of Cambridge, Maryland, and 42-year-old George Brown of Wilmington, Delaware, for receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance on Wednesday evening. On October 16, 2024, at approximately 7:40 p.m., members of the New Castle… The post New Castle County Governor’s Task Force Arrest Pair in Stolen Vehicle appeared first on TV Delmarva .

  • *Update – Victim Identified* State Police Investigating Single-Vehicle Fatal Collision in Greenwood

    Delaware State Police have identified 28-year-old Joshua Reynoso-Velasquez of Seaford, Delaware, as the man who died in the single-vehicle fatal crash on October 16, 2024, in Greenwood. The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are… The post *Update – Victim Identified* State Police Investigating Single-Vehicle Fatal Collision in Greenwood appeared first on TV Delmarva .

  • New Brilliant Comet On The Way? Comet C/2024 S1

    Comet C/2024 S1 (ATLAS): What to Expect Comet C/2024 S1 (ATLAS) is an exciting new discovery in the sky. Found on September 27, 2024, by the ATLAS system, this comet belongs to a special group called Kreutz sungrazers. These comets come incredibly… The post New Brilliant Comet On The Way? Comet C/2024 S1 appeared first on TV Delmarva .