Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred Sunday morning in New Castle, according to Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell.
Hatchell said on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at approximately 9:34 a.m., Brittalia Semaan, 30, of New Castle, was operating a stolen 2018 Chevrolet Trax southbound on Route 9 in the area of Boothurst Boulevard. At this time, a pedestrian, identified as Joseph Stanavich, 47, of New Castle was walking southbound on the right shoulder of Route 9, just south of Boothhurst Boulevard. The Trax which was traveling at a high-rate of speed, for unknown reasons left the right lane of travel and struck Stanavich within the right shoulder said Hatchell. After the collision, Semaan fled southbound on Route 9 in the stolen Chevrolet Trax. Semaan was subsequently apprehended in the area of Route 9 and Hamburg Road after a separate collision.
Stanavich was transported to a nearby hospital by EMS, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Brittalia was arrested and charged with the following crimes:
Kidnapping First Degree (Felony)
2 Counts- Robbery First Degree (Felony)
4 Counts- Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony)
5 Counts- Terroristic Threatening
Vehicular Homicide Second Degree (Felony)
Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Death (Felony)
Failure to Report Collision
Failed to Remain Within a Single Lane
Brittallia Semaan was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $254,000.00 cash bond.
DelDOT
Original Story
Delaware State Police arrested Brittallia Semaan, 30, of New Castle, on multiple criminal and traffic charges following numerous incidents Sunday morning in New Castle, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper.
Pepper said on March 13, 2022, at approximately 9:31 a.m., troopers were dispatched to the area of 4049 New Castle Avenue for a reported carjacking. The initial investigation determined a female suspect, later identified as Brittallia Semaan, entered the front passenger side of a parked white Chevrolet Trax. A 67-year-old male and 66-year-old female attempted to remove Brittallia from their SUV but were unsuccessful as she moved into the driver’s seat. As Brittallia attempted to flee the area, the female victim was struck by the SUV and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. At the time of the initial carjacking, two juveniles were seated in the backseat of the SUV but were successfully able to exit before Brittallia fled with the Trax southbound on Route 9.
Moments later, Brittallia struck a 48-year-old New Castle man just south of Boothhurst Blvd. said Pepper The victim was transported by EMS to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Identification is pending notification to next of kin.
After the fatal pedestrian crash, Brittallia flees southbound into Old New Castle and enters the parking lot of the SPCA located in the area of South Street and 6th Street. At the same time, a 19-year-old female pedestrian was walking in the parking lot. For unknown reasons, Brittallia swerved into the pedestrian’s path, striking her, according to Pepper. That victim sustained minor injuries.
Brittallia then exited the parking lot and traveled southbound on South Street before turning right onto Washington Street and began traveling northbound. At the same time, a Maserati was traveling southbound on Washington Street, approaching Brittallia’s vehicle. For unknown reasons, Brittallia crossed over the double yellow line and crashed head-on with the Maserati on Rt 141 just before the intersection of SR 273 said Pepper. The driver, a 34-year-old Wilmington man, and passenger, a 26-year-old Wilmington woman, sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the crash.
After the crash occurred, a good Samaritan stopped at the crash scene to help. At that time, Brittallia entered the backseat of the 62-year-old New Castle man’s Ford Explorer. He confronted her and told her to exit his car. As she complied, she quickly entered the driver’s seat and attempted to flee the scene. The 62-year-old male tried to stop Brittallia but was unsuccessful and was dragged a short distance but was uninjured. As Brittallia fled the scene, a 77-year-old New Castle woman was still seated in the front passenger seat.
With the female passenger still in the Explorer, Brittallia continued traveling onto southbound River Road, where she collided with the rear of a Honda Odyssey in the area of Hamburg Rd. The 52-year-old female driver and the 77-year-old female passenger in Brittallia’s vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
An off-duty Wilmington Police Department Officer observed the second carjacking and followed Brittallia when he observed the final collision. With the assistance of a former New Castle County Police Officer, who had also stopped to render aid at the scene, Brittallia Semaan was apprehended until Troopers arrived. Brittallia was taken into custody and transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2, where this investigation remains ongoing. Once charges and mugshot become available, a press release will be issued.
This fatal pedestrian collision remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Additional information regarding the crash will be released once it becomes available.