Newark, Del. — A 22-year-old man from New Castle has been arrested following a tragic accident that claimed the life of a University of Delaware student and left another critically injured. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon and has left the local community in shock.
At approximately 3:49 p.m., Newark police discovered an unoccupied U-Haul van in a shopping center on East Main Street. The vehicle had been reported as missing after it was not returned on March 18, 2025. When officers attempted to engage with the vehicle’s occupants shortly after 4:30 p.m., they encountered Gordon Turner and a passenger returning to the van.
As police approached, Turner jumped into the driver’s seat and fled, driving dangerously over a curb and colliding with a police vehicle. Witnesses reported that he accelerated westbound on East Main Street at an alarming speed. Notably, police opted not to pursue him in order to ensure public safety.
Within moments, Turner lost control of the U-Haul, striking two pedestrians on the street before crashing into several parked cars. The collision involved a vehicle occupied by five individuals, and another pedestrian sustained injuries due to a parked car that was pushed during the impact. The U-Haul finally came to a stop at the intersection of East Main Street and Center Street.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene following multiple 911 calls reporting the crash. A 24-year-old University of Delaware graduate student was pronounced dead at the site of the accident. A second 24-year-old graduate student was transported to a local hospital where she is currently in stable condition after sustaining serious injuries.
After the accident, Turner was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation before being placed in police custody. While his passenger was detained, no charges have been filed against that individual as of now.
The Newark Police Traffic Unit, in conjunction with the University of Delaware Police and other local authorities, is conducting a thorough investigation. As a result of this incident, East Main Street remained closed for about five hours to facilitate the inquiry.
Turner faces several serious felony charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree assault, along with charges for disregarding a police signal and possession of marijuana beyond personal use limits. Investigators revealed that Turner also has outstanding warrants in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
During the subsequent investigation and search of the U-Haul, police found a handgun inside the vehicle. Additional charges may be brought as the investigation progresses.
Turner was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court #11, where he was issued a cash bond of $305,500. He is currently held at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to meet the bond requirement.