University of Delaware student killed by motorcyclist, police say – NBC10 Philadelphia

A student who had just started studying at the University of Delaware was struck and killed by a speeding motorcyclist who fled a traffic stop, investigators said.

The incident occurred late Tuesday around 11:50 p.m. near the University of Delaware campus in Newark, Delaware. A University of Delaware police officer attempted to stop a motorcyclist who was committing traffic violations on East Main Street and South Chapel Street, investigators said.

The motorcyclist allegedly ignored the officer's hazard lights and sped west on East Main Street. The officer did not join the pursuit and turned off his hazard lights, officials said.

As the motorcyclist continued to speed, the vehicle struck a University of Delaware student who was walking in a crosswalk on West Main Street, just west of North College Avenue, police said. Investigators said the motorcyclist also struck four other pedestrians on the sidewalk and a light pole.

Passers-by tried unsuccessfully to save the student – ​​an 18-year-old woman from New Jersey. She was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

The identity of the victim was not released by authorities, but University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis stated that the victim was a freshman student and that many of her friends and classmates witnessed the accident.

“We cannot express enough how deeply sorry we are to the family, friends and entire community as we are all deeply devastated by the sudden loss of a loved one,” Assanis wrote. “Our hearts are very heavy today.”

Assanis' message also included resources for students to help them cope with the tragedy.

Three of the pedestrians struck by the motorcycle suffered minor injuries and refused to be taken to the hospital, police said. A fourth pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The motorcyclist who fell from the vehicle in the accident was also taken to hospital. Police believe the motorcyclist's injuries are not life-threatening.

Although no charges have been filed against the motorcyclist, police are continuing to investigate the incident.

If you have any information about the accident, please call Newark Police at 302-366-7100 x 3414 or email [email protected].