NEWARK, DE — A 22-year-old man, Gordon Turner of New Castle, has been arrested in connection with a fatal crash involving a stolen U-Haul van. The April 29 incident resulted in the death of one pedestrian and critical injuries to another.
The sequence of events began around 3:49 p.m. when Newark Police identified an unoccupied U-Haul van in the 200 block of East Main Street. The vehicle had been reported overdue since March 18. At 4:34 p.m., officers attempted to arrest Turner as he returned to the van, but he allegedly evaded capture, driving over a curb, striking a police car, and fleeing at high speed.
Moments later, Turner reportedly lost control of the van west of Haines Street, hitting two pedestrians, multiple parked vehicles, and injuring a third pedestrian in a chain-reaction collision. One pedestrian, a 24-year-old University of Delaware graduate student, died at the scene, while another, also 24, sustained serious injuries and remains in stable condition.
Turner was apprehended after being evaluated at a hospital. A search of the van uncovered a handgun, and police later confirmed Turner had outstanding warrants in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
Turner faces multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and possession of marijuana beyond legal quantity. He remains in custody on a $305,500 cash bond at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution.
The Newark Police Department’s Traffic Unit continues to investigate and has urged witnesses to come forward. Additional charges may follow.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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