Newark Police Investigate Fatal Crash Involving Pedestrians – UPDATE #2
The Newark Police Department has arrested Gordon Turner, 22, of New Castle, Delaware, in connection with a fatal crash that claimed the life of one pedestrian and critically injured another on April 29, 2025.
At approximately 3:49 p.m., Newark officers located an unoccupied U-Haul van that had been reported to police as an unauthorized use vehicle due to be returned on March 18, 2025. The van was parked in a shopping center on the 200 block of East Main Street.
At 4:34 p.m., Turner and a passenger returned to the vehicle. As officers moved in to arrest the suspects, Turner, who had entered the driver’s seat, evaded capture by driving over a curb, striking a police vehicle, and fleeing onto East Main Street at a high rate of speed.
Newark Police officers did not initiate a pursuit. All officers remained within the shopping center and did not follow Turner onto East Main Street. Turner’s vehicle continued to accelerate at a high rate of speed, westbound on East Main Street. Just west of Haines Street, Turner lost control of his vehicle and struck two pedestrians who were on the north side of East Main Street. The vehicle continued on striking several parked cars, one vehicle with four occupants and one vehicle with one occupant. The vehicle came to rest on East Main Street at Center Street in front of the Post Office. These crashes caused a chain reaction where a third pedestrian was injured after being struck by a parked vehicle that was pushed during the collision.
The Newark Police Communications Center was then inundated with 911 calls related to the crash. This information was immediately relayed to patrol officers.
Responding officers quickly proceeded to the crash scene to render aid. One of the pedestrians, a 24-year-old University of Delaware graduate student, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her identity is being withheld pending additional family notifications.
The second pedestrian, also a 24-year-old University of Delaware graduate student, sustained serious injuries. Newark Police officers administered immediate care, with additional assistance from the Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company, the University of Delaware Emergency Care Unit, Christiana Fire Company, and New Castle County Paramedics. The second victim was transported via ambulance to a local hospital, accompanied by paramedics, and remains in stable condition.
Turner was transported to an area hospital, where he was evaluated and released into police custody. The passenger was detained and transported to Newark Police Headquarters. No charges have been filed against the passenger at this time.
East Main Street was closed for approximately five hours while the Newark Police Department’s Traffic Unit conducted a comprehensive investigation. They were supported by the University of Delaware Police, Fire Police, and DelDOT.
Turner has been charged with the following offenses:
- Murder Second Degree – Death Caused During Commission of a Felony
- Murder Second Degree – Reckless Conduct Showing Indifference to Human Life
- Assault First Degree – Conduct Creating Risk of Death or Serious Injury
- Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal
- Possession/Consumption of Marijuana in Excess of Personal Use Quantity
Subsequent to his arrest, investigators discovered that Turner is a fugitive wanted by police agencies in the states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
The U-Haul van was seized and towed to the Newark Police Headquarters for processing. A search warrant for the vehicle was obtained by investigators and during a preliminary search, a handgun was discovered within.
Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
Turner was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and issued a $305,500 cash bond. In default of bond, he was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Cpl. Jon Lee at (302) 366-7100 ext. 3462 or jlee@newark.de.us. Anonymous tips may be submitted through the Newark Police Department’s tips page, where reward information may also be available.
The Newark Police Department is asking for the help of the public. If you have direct footage of the crash, it can be uploaded at Evidence Link or scan the QR code below to assist you.
Gordon Turner
