(New Castle, DE 19720) On Saturday, April 19, 2025, at approximately 11:59 a.m., patrol officers from the New Castle County Division of Police responded to the 500 block of West Avenue in the community of Holloway Terrace for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a scooter.
Upon arrival, officers located a black GMC Terrain operated by 45-year-old Roland Fleming, a gray Chevrolet Traverse, and the victim—72-year-old John Christiansen of New Castle—who had been seated on his electric scooter at the end of a driveway.
Officers learned that the GMC Terrain left the roadway, drove onto the grass, and struck Mr. Christiansen, throwing him onto the northbound lane of West Avenue. The GMC then continued and collided with the parked Chevrolet Traverse.
Mr. Christiansen was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite life-saving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
On Saturday, April 19, Roland Fleming was taken into custody and transported to the New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with the following:
- Vehicular Assault in the First Degree
- Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence
The New Castle County Division of Police Traffic Services Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. This remains an ongoing investigation, and Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident or who may have surveillance video to contact Detective Hussong at 302-395-2742, by e-mail at William.Hussong@newcastlede.gov, or by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at 302-573-2800.
