INVESTIGATION UPDATE: FATAL CRASH INVOLVING PEDESTRIAN – VERBENA DRIVE (NEWARK)

(Newark, DE 19711) On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at approximately 07:31 a.m. Police were dispatched to the Hitchens Farm community in reference to a motor vehicle crash with a pedestrian struck. Upon arrival, officers learned that a gray Subaru had struck a 69-year-old male who was walking along Verbena Drive. After striking the pedestrian the vehicle continued driving and collided with a tree.

The 69-year-old male victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the striking vehicle was identified as 31-year-old Robert Hagerty of Newark. The driver was transported to Christiana Hospital Emergency room for treatment. While on scene at the hospital Hagerty attempted to disarm a New Castle County Police Officer. Hagerty was charged with one felony count of attempting to remove a firearm from a law enforcement officer, one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, and one misdemeanor count of attempted escape in the third degree.

 A thorough investigation was conducted by the New Castle County Division of Police Traffic Services Unit and the Delaware Attorney General’s Office in reference to the fatal crash. Robert Hagerty was later indicted for the following charges: one felony count of manslaughter, one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence, and two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief. Hagerty was arraigned on September 14, 2023 by the New Castle County Superior Court and bail was set at $40,000.00 secured.

Hagerty, Robert (31)

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