Arrest made, more info released in U-Haul driver hitting pedestrians in Newark case

A 24-year-old University of Delaware graduate student was killed and another seriously injured after a stolen U-Haul van driven by a man crashed on East Main Street Tuesday afternoon.

Police announced Wednesday afternoon that Gordon Turner, 22, of New Castle, was arrested following the incident, which began shortly before 4:30 p.m. on April 29.

Officers had been searching for a U-Haul van reported as an unauthorized vehicle that was due back in March.

RELATED: 1 dead, several injured after U-Haul crashes into pedestrians in Newark

The van was found unoccupied in a shopping center on the 200 block of East Main Street.

When Turner and a passenger returned to the vehicle, police moved in.

Turner reportedly fled by driving over a curb, striking a police cruiser, and speeding onto East Main Street. Officers did not pursue the van.

Moments later, Turner lost control of the vehicle near Haines Street, striking two pedestrians on the sidewalk. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene.

The second victim, also a 24-year-old graduate student, was hospitalized in serious condition but is now stable.

The crash triggered a chain reaction involving several parked vehicles and additional injuries.

A third pedestrian was hurt when a parked vehicle, struck during the crash, was pushed into them.

Turner was taken to a hospital, then released into police custody.

A passenger in the van was also detained but has not been charged. A search of the van revealed a handgun and marijuana exceeding the legal possession limit.

Turner faces multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and fleeing police.

He is also wanted by authorities in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. After arraignment, he was held at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $305,500 cash bond.

East Main Street remained closed for about five hours as investigators examined the scene with assistance from multiple agencies.

Police are asking anyone with video footage of the crash or additional information to contact Cpl. Jon Lee at (302) 366-7100 ext. 3462 or [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the department’s tip line.

Statement from University of Delaware leadership on U-Haul death

“Dear UD Community,

Since last evening’s crash on Main Street that took the life of a University of Delaware graduate student (whose identity is being withheld at this time) and injured several others, we have been struggling to cope with the pain of this senseless tragedy. Throughout the UD community, we are all feeling the deep ache of loss, and we will continue to work through our grief together.

Today, Newark Police announced an arrest in connection with the crash, reiterating that there is no ongoing threat to the community.

Main Street is where we eat, shop and share our lives with our friends, families and classmates. Because it is part of the state’s roadway systems, we have been working with local and state officials this year, including our partners at Delaware Department of Transportation, to address traffic safety on and around Main Street. In the wake of this tragedy, we will reinforce and accelerate those efforts. We recognize there isn’t a simple solution, particularly when these tragedies involve actions taken by individuals that may not be stopped by changes to roadways or infrastructure. However, this incident underscores that our collective efforts must take on renewed urgency.

University leaders joined Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and Newark Mayor Travis McDermott today for a press conference, at which we expressed our shared commitment to enhanced safety along Main Street. The University has pledged to continue these discussions through meetings with the offices of AG Jennings and Mayor McDermott, in addition to DelDOT, in the near future. The University remains committed to advancing meaningful solutions, while the University’s Division of Student Life and Graduate College are connecting with students about effective advocacy, civic engagement and partnerships in order to support these efforts.

We are also aware that members of the UD community may have witnessed the crash and its aftermath or have close relationships with the victims. We encourage everyone to become familiar with and use, as needed, the available University counseling and support resources that were shared in Tuesday evening’s message to the UD community. Counseling services are available at Warner Hall and through TimelyCare anytime, 24/7. Students with physical injuries or medical concerns relating to the incident can contact Student Health Services at 302-831-2226, Option 0, or visit Laurel Hall to meet with triage nurses available until 5 p.m. After hours, students can contact the Highmark Nurse line at 888-258-3428 or visit local urgent care centers (Newark Urgent Care at 324 E. Main Street, or ChristianaCare GoHealth at 550 S. College Avenue, Suite 115).

During this difficult time in our community, we all need to continue supporting and standing by one another as we move forward together.

Sincerely,

Dennis Assanis, President

Laura Carlson, Provost

José-Luis Riera, Vice President for Student Life”