*Update – Suspect Arrested* State Police Investigating Two-Vehicle Fatal Crash in Seaford

Date Posted: Thursday, October 17th, 2024

Delaware State Police have arrested 24-year-old Luis Lucas-Mendez of Georgetown, Delaware for vehicular homicide, DUI, and related charges following a fatal crash that left two people dead.

On October 6, 2024, at approximately 01:34 a.m., a 2016 Nissan Rogue was traveling southbound on Sussex Highway in the left lane, south of Cannon Road. At the same time, a 2005 Honda Pilot was traveling northbound, also in the left southbound lane on Sussex Highway, into the Rogue's path of travel. As a result, the front of the Rogue struck the front of the Pilot in the left southbound lane of Sussex Highway.

The driver of the Rogue, a 22-year-old man from Washington, D.C. and a back seat passenger, an 18-year-old woman from Bethesda, Maryland, were taken to an area hospital for critical injuries. Two other passengers, 22-year-old Eric Staley of Fayetteville, North Carolina and 18-year-old Makayla Belton of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Pilot, Luis Lucas-Mendez, was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. A passenger, a 40-year-old man from Georgetown, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital with critical injuries. The investigation revealed that Lucas-Mendez was driving under the influence at the time of the crash.

On October 9, 2024, after being released from the hospital, Lucas-Mendez was arrested and taken to Troop 2. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $30,201 cash bond.

• Vehicular Homicide 2^nd Degree (Felony) - 2 counts
• Reckless Endangering 1^st Degree (Felony)
• Vehicular Assault 2^nd Degree - 3 counts
• Driving Under the Influence
• Driving without a Valid License
• Failure to have Insurance Identification in Possession
• Failure to Drive in Proper Lane and Direction

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Master Corporal K. Argo by calling (302) 703-3264. 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 you 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 [email protected].

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