WILMINGTON, DE — A 58-year-old Wilmington man has been charged with vehicular homicide and other offenses in the aftermath of a fatal crash on I-495 that left one person dead early Tuesday morning.
The Delaware State Police reported the collision occurred around 12:22 a.m. on March 4, 2025. A preliminary investigation revealed that a silver 2004 Lexus RX300, driven by Marvis Branch, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of I-495 near Edgemoor Road. Allegedly speeding, the Lexus collided head-on with a southbound white 2019 Toyota Corolla in the left lane.
The driver of the Corolla, a 43-year-old Bear man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials are withholding his identity while notifying family members.
Branch sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to a nearby hospital. Troopers at the scene reported signs of impairment, including the smell of alcohol on Branch’s breath. Impairment is suspected to have been a contributing factor in the incident, authorities said.
Upon investigation, Branch was charged with the following offenses:
- Vehicular Homicide Second Degree (Felony)
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
- Driving on the Wrong Side of the Roadway
- Failure to Have Required Insurance
Branch was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and is currently in the custody of the Department of Correction under a $27,700 cash bond.
The southbound lanes of I-495 were closed for approximately 5.5 hours while investigators worked to document and clear the scene.
The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash. Authorities urge anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Master Corporal J. Forester at (302) 365-8485 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Officials stress that the charges against Branch are allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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