Wilmington, DE – A tragic crash early Tuesday morning in Wilmington, Delaware, resulted in the death of a 4-month-old baby after a driver fleeing from police lost control and crashed. The incident has left the community mourning while officials prepare to press serious charges against the driver.
The Fatal Police Pursuit and Crash
According to the Wilmington Police Department, officers attempted to pull over a driver wanted for alleged crimes around 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday along Interstate-95. Instead of stopping, the 33-year-old driver sped away, taking the I-95 Marsh Road exit and heading toward Marsh and Edgemoor roads, where the vehicle crashed.
The crash was severe, destroying a section of a fence and brick columns upon impact. Four individuals inside the vehicle were seriously affected.
- Maurice Brown Jr., the 4-month-old boy, was not restrained and was rushed to hospital but later died.
- A 32-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl were also hospitalized but remain in stable condition.
- The driver was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Community and Official Reactions
Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings described the crash as a “horrifying, senseless tragedy” emphasizing the lethal dangers of fleeing law enforcement vehicles. She stated,
“A 4-month-old baby is dead today. Nothing could have justified putting his life at risk — and whatever consequences the driver now faces pale in comparison to the price this child paid by no choice of his own.”
Wilmington Mayor John Carney also expressed deep sorrow for the family and community, saying,
“I’m always deeply saddened to learn that a life has been lost, especially the life of a baby. My heart goes out to the family and to our entire community sharing in their grief. When events like this occur, it touches everyone.”
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Eyewitness Account and Crash Impact
John Townsend, a local auto-repair shop owner, witnessed the police chase via his security cameras. He recalls the high speed of the fleeing vehicle, saying it was traveling at least 80 mph. He further described the aftermath:
“The car was in pieces. It just barely picked it up. When I looked at it, bad, bad accident.”
Legal Consequences and Investigation
Authorities plan to charge the driver with criminal offenses related to the chase and the death of the infant. The incident underscores the dangerous consequences of irresponsible driving during police pursuits.
This heartbreaking event was reported with information obtained from CBS News Philadelphia.
What Can Be Done Moving Forward?
- Law enforcement agencies are urged to evaluate their pursuit policies to minimize risks to innocent bystanders.
- Community awareness campaigns about child safety and the risks of unrestrained passengers could help prevent similar tragedies.
- Families should ensure young children are always secured in proper safety restraints to reduce injuries during accidents.
The Wilmington community continues to grieve this devastating loss while authorities work on bringing justice.
What do you think about this tragic incident? Have you witnessed or been affected by similar events in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments below!