Assault at MIDDLETOWN WARWICK ROAD AND STRAWBERRY LANE on 10/30/2025 7:50 PM

Type: Assault

Date: 10/30/2025 7:50 PM

Description: Delaware State Police obtained an arrest warrant for 38-year-old Francisco Mendez-Peralta, from Chestertown, Maryland, in connection with a fatal crash that occurred last night in Middletown. On October 30, 2025, at approximately 7:50 p.m., an E-Bike was traveling in the northbound lane or right shoulder of Middletown Warwick Road, approximately one mile north of Strawberry Lane. At the same time, a Chevrolet Equinox was traveling northbound on Middletown Warwick Road, approaching the E-Bike. For reasons still under investigation, the front of the Chevrolet struck the E-Bike, ejecting its rider onto the roadway. The Chevrolet fled the scene. The E-Bike rider, a 62-year-old man from Middletown, Delaware, was flown by the Delaware State Police Aviation Section to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family is notified. The roadway was closed for approximately 3.5 hours while members of the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated and cleared the roadway. The Middletown Police Department discovered the Chevrolet on nearby surveillance video. Through investigative means and with the assistance of the Maryland State Police, the Chevrolet Equinox was located in a public alleyway, near a residence, in Chestertown, Maryland. Troopers located and identified the Chevrolet’s driver as Francisco Mendez-Peralta. Mendez-Peralta was taken into custody in Maryland. Upon his transfer to Delaware, he will be charged with the following offenses: Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Death (Felony) Cars Involved in Death Remain at Scene for the Arrival of Police (Felony) Failure to Report a Collision Resulting in Death (Felony) The investigation is ongoing. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has video footage to contact Corporal K. Oakes at (302) 365-8483. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333. If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.Delaware State Police have identified 62-year-old David Miller Sr., of Middletown, Delaware, as the man who died in the fatal crash on Thursday in Middletown. The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has video footage to contact Corporal K. Oakes at (302) 365-8483. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333. If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

Address: MIDDLETOWN WARWICK ROAD AND STRAWBERRY LANE, Middletown, DE,

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Area Missing Persons

missing-person-record__Whitehair

Name

David Whitehair

Missing Age

17

Est. Current Age

32

Last Seen

Felton, DE on 04/23/2010

Physical Description

Race: White Ethnicity: Caucasian Gender: Male Hair: Red/Auburn Eyes: Blue Height: 5' 8" - 5' 11" Weight: 175 - 190 lbs

Case Number

MP7872

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Area Cold Cases

cold-case-record__Latham

Name

Jakeith Latham

Age

33

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On december 20th, 2016 jakeith latham was located unresponsive in the area of 1000 block of linda road in darley woods, claymont, delaware. Jakeith latham was from clayton, new jersey. Jakeith died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.

Agency

New Castle PD

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