On Saturday, September 8, 2018, at 1:15 in the morning, officers with the Elkton Police Department responded to Walmart, 1000 East Pulaski Hwy, for a motor vehicle accident with injury. Prior to arrival, officers were advised that a female was trapped underneath a vehicle at that location.
Responding officers found a 2006 Chevrolet Impala in row three of the Walmart Shopping Center with an unresponsive victim, later identified as Keneesha Cunningham, still trapped under the vehicle, said Elkton Police Capt. J. V. Zurolo.
Shortly after officers arrived, rescue crews from Singerly Fire Rescue arrived on scene and began to render aid, while at the same time taking steps to remove the vehicle from atop of the victim. Due to the severity of the injuries sustained, on scene paramedics pronounced the victim deceased.
As rescue crews worked the scene, a Walmart security officer advised officers that the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Chermaine Tee Mayo and passenger of the vehicle, Donisha Jaquil Harris, fled the scene towards the Royal Farms across Route 40, according to Zurolo. Assisting officers were able to locate Mayo and Harris across the street in an area between the Royal Farms and the Chili’s Restaurant.
The security guard went on to tell officers that the three females, Harris, Mayo and Cunningham, entered Walmart at approximately 12:30 am. The three females were then seen selecting items throughout the store and placing them in a shopping cart. The items consisted of clothing, food, and household goods totaling $1,193.99.
Zurolo said the three females then headed towards the main entrance leaving the store without paying for any of the items in the shopping cart. As the three females left the store, the security guard made contact with them and asked for a receipt. The trio did not produce a receipt and continue out of the store towards their vehicle, according to Zurolo.
Once at the vehicle, the women begin to load the items into the vehicle. The security officer, who had followed the women to their vehicle, began to take photographs of the subjects and the vehicle. As the security officer attempted to take a photo of the license plate, Cunningham attempted to conceal the plate with her body by holding onto the trunk lid, according to Zurolo. At this point, the vehicle began to speed away in reverse, with Mayo driving and Harris in the front passenger seat, said Zurolo. Cunningham was still sitting on the trunk.
As the car was moving in reverse through the parking lot, the car struck a curb, Cunningham was still holding onto the rear of the vehicle at this time. The vehicle continued to back up and struck a second curb. This is where authorities think Cunningham fell from the vehicle and became pinned underneath the car.
Zurolo said that Mayo was still trying to drive the car from the area while Cunningham was pinned underneath. When Mayo and Harris could not move the vehicle they exited and fled on foot without making any attempts to render aid or seek help, according to Zurolo.
Upon the arrest of Mayo, officers detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from Mayo’s breath and person, added Zurolo. Officers also discovered two open containers of alcoholic beverages inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Arrested:
Chermaine Tee Mayo (38 years of age)
Wilmington, DE 19802
Charges:
Negligent Manslaughter by Vehicle
Negligent Auto Homicide – Under Influence
Reckless Endangerment
Theft: $100 to Under $1,500
Con-Theft $100 to Under $1,500
Arrested:
Donisha Jaquil Harris (26 years of age)
Wilmington, DE 19802
Charges:
Theft: $100 to Under $1,500
Con-Theft $100 to Under $1,500