On Tuesday night, a motorbike rider who was going too fast struck and killed a first-year University of Delaware student.
Just before midnight, on West Main Street near North College Avenue, the 18-year-old student from New Jersey was struck by a car while using a crossing.
Authorities state that the victim’s identity has not been made public until after family notification.
The incident started at 11:53 p.m., according to the Newark Police Department, when a University of Delaware police officer tried to pull over a motorbike at East Main Street and South Chapel Street for a traffic infraction.
The rider fled after ignoring the emergency lights on the police car, according to the police.
According to Newark police, the university officer did not pursue the motorcyclist after turning off his emergency lights. About a minute later, the student was killed when the motorcyclist struck her.
Four additional pedestrians were hurt when the rider lost control of the motorcycle and it continued onto the West Main Street sidewalk. Police said that despite their best efforts, bystanders were unable to save the student. At the scene, she was pronounced deceased.
Junior Courtney May expressed her sorrow, saying, “I feel horrible for her family and everyone that was there who witnessed it.”
“As a parent, I can’t imagine you’re sending your child off to school to see the world, and going away from home, and getting that call or that visit unfortunately early in the morning, it’s truly tragic,” Newark Police Sgt. Jay Conover stated.
Numerous of her friends and students reportedly observed the crash, according to the university statement.
“Incidents such as this are unimaginably tragic. We cannot express enough how sorry we are for the family, friends, and greater community as we are all so deeply shaken by the sudden loss of one of our own. Our hearts are very heavy today,” José-Luis Riera, vice president for student life, and president Dennis Assanis said in the statement, “Our hearts are very heavy today.”
Three of the individuals injured by the motorcycle suffered minor injuries. One was brought to the hospital with an injury that is thought to not be life-threatening.
The motorcyclist also had a non-life-threatening injury and was sent to the hospital. According to Newark police, the collision is still being looked into.
Students reported that they are coming up with solutions to make themselves and this girl, who unfortunately lost her life, safer.
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“She only had one day of college classes,” May stated. “I think that’s what is making a lot people come together and be like, ‘This just can’t happen.'”
According to the institution, students who require assistance can access services. Additional details can be found on this UDel.edu page.
