Serious Crash Involving Pedestrian; Male Arrested for Assaulting Driver

On October 27, 2018, at about 1949 hours, Newark Police were dispatched to the area of South College Avenue, just north of Christina Parkway (SR 4), for a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.  Arriving officers found that a 42 year-old female, who was crossing the roadway from the east side to the west side, had been struck by a vehicle while crossing the southbound lanes of South College Avenue.  The female was not in a marked crosswalk.  Officers found that the driver and striking vehicle were no longer on the scene.

The female pedestrian was transported to an area hospital by Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company of Newark and New Castle County Paramedics.  She sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the hospital.

Upon investigation, officers learned that a family member of the pedestrian, Khory D. Spruill, assaulted the driver of the striking vehicle as he was exiting the vehicle to check on the pedestrian.  Spruill assaulted the driver by punching him multiple times in the head and face.  The driver was 77 years old.  In addition, Spruill damaged the driver’s vehicle by striking it.  Other bystanders assisted the driver back into his vehicle once the assault by Spruill ended and the driver fled the scene for his own safety.  The driver was later contacted by police and he declined medical attention, despite having suffered facial injuries from the assault.  He was not injured as a result of the crash.  The driver is not facing any charges.

Newark Police obtained an arrest warrant charging Spruill, 19 years-old, of Clinton, MD, with Assault Second Degree (a felony) and Criminal Mischief.  Spruill turned himself in to Newark Police on October 28, 2018.  Spruill appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 in New Castle and was released on $6,500 unsecured bail.

Anyone with information as to this incident is asked to contact Officer A. Vari at (302) 366-7100 x. 3486 or avari@newark.de.us.

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Khory D. Spruill