NEWARK, Del.- According to Newark Police, a U-Haul truck driving away from officers hit multiple pedestrians Monday afternoon, killing 48-year-old Christopher DeFeo of Newark, near the University of Delaware.
Police say it happened around 4:30 p.m. near East Main Street and Haines Street. Officers had found the truck, which had been reported as unreturned and unauthorized, parked in a lot on East Main Street.
When police approached to arrest two suspects inside, the driver took off—hitting a marked police car and jumping a curb before striking pedestrians.
Newark Police remain on scene, and East Main Street is closed between South Chapel Street and Haines Street. Traffic is being diverted and delays are expected in the area for several hours.
The driver of the U-Haul was seriously injured and taken to the hospital, while the passenger was also detained. Three other people with minor injuries were taken to a local emergency room. Three others were treated at the scene and chose not to go to the hospital.
The incident is under investigation by the Newark Police Traffic Unit. East Main Street remains closed near South Chapel Street, and traffic is being diverted. The road will stay closed for some time while the investigation continues.
Police say this appears to be an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings released a statement on Wednesday regarding the incident saying, “Main Street is the beating heart of downtown Newark and the University of Delaware. We have to guarantee its safety, and the right of every law-abiding Delawarean to enjoy a beautiful day without fear for their safety or their life." said Jennings. “As an alumna, as a mother, and as Attorney General, I promise you this: this defendant will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and I will not rest until we have found justice for what happened to these students.”
