Shootings, street racing, and resulting crashes kept authorities busy over the weekend.
Beginning around 4:00 Saturday afternoon crowds began filling parking lots along Capitol Trail in the area of Meadowood Drive for a cruise night. As the crowd grew larger videos began to hit social media pages. One of the videos posted shows the driver of a red Ford Mustang accelerate before losing control and crashing into a SUV on the opposite side of the road. The driver of the Mustang then leaves the scene with the SUV in pursuit. As the SUV pulls away to give chase a half a dozen dirtbikes take off popping wheelies alongside the SUV.
Readers feedback during cruise night:
“What in the world is going on tonight on Kirkwood Highway? Loud mufflers, cars drag racing, motorcycles on their back wheel, and people lining the street watching. In the meantime, there are normal drivers taking their life in their hands trying to avoid an accident. This is insanity at its finest. Just pray nobody gets killed.”
“It was insane. The crazy part about it is it was going on for so long. Smoke-filled Kirkwood Highway right at that bridge by hooters and YMCA from cars racing at the lights, people doing wheelies on all kinds of bikes, crowds of people standing around. It legit looked like ocean city bike week! It was exciting but scary to see because it was obvious it wasn’t planned and happened out of nowhere. The bridge above Kirkwood highway was filled with people cheering I’m not sure how it happened”
“Bad accident on Kirkwood Highway due to the drag racing. A Jeep was totaled. Father and son are banged up but ok. Lots of activity in that area”
“Cruise night has turned into night at the races! Also saw a girl hanging out of the sunroof as her car was hit and thrown out in front of Walgreens but she is ok.”
Just after 10:23, the Mill Creek Fire Company along with New Castle County Paramedics were dispatched to Kirkwood Highway in the area of Woodmill Drive in Newark for a motor vehicle collision with entrapment.
While en route crews learned that a vehicle was overturned with two people trapped. They were also told that the vehicle was on fire. As crews arrived on scene they reported that one of the patients had been freed from the vehicle.
Due to the difficult extrication and multiple patients, additional resources responded from Cranston Heights Fire Company, Minquas Fire Company of Newport, Five Points Fire Company, and Holloway Terrace Fire Company.
A 22-year-old female was trapped in the wreckage for 15 minutes before being extricated by fire department personnel. She was treated for head, extremity, and possible internal injuries and was transported by a Mill Creek Fire Company ambulance with paramedics on board in serious condition. A 25-year-old male was treated for head and possible internal injuries. He was transported by Five Points Fire Company ambulance with paramedics on board in serious condition. A third patient of unknown age was transported by Holloway Terrace Fire Company in stable condition. All patients were transported to Christiana Hospital.
The owner of a jeep that was struck during the crash reported in a Facebook post that he and his child were stuck by drag racers but were okay. “People drag racing fast on Kirkwood Highway lost control in the opposing lane, crossed over, and crashed into my Jeep”. Police have not confirmed that the vehicles were street racing.
Police eventually closed down Capitol Trail in both directions to bring the situation under control.
At around 8:49 Saturday evening, Wilmington Police responded to the 2700 block of Bowers Street for a shooting. Arriving officers found a 20-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds. He is listed in critical condition.
On Sunday at 12:33 am 17-year-old girl was shot on I-95 in the area of Airport Road – Initial reports indicate that crews were called to the area for a shooting at the old Sheraton. Sources tell FSU that it is believed the shooting occurred on the highway and the car pulled over at the Aiport Road offramp.
On Sunday at 12: 48 rescue crews and police responded to the Middletown Trace Apartments on New Street in Middletown for a shooting. Middletown Police have yet to release details surrounding the shooting, however, readers have reported seeing shell casings and a vehicle with damage.
These are all developing stories. If you have video or photos of any of the incidents you can message us on Facebook, You will remain anonymous.
