On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at approximately 07:31 in the morning New Castle;e County 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 69-year-old Patrick Regan, of Newark, who was walking along Verbena Drive. After striking the pedestrian the vehicle continued driving and collided with a tree according to police.
In February officials said the initial investigation showed the 31-year-old driver of the gray 2023 Subaru Legacy crossed into the opposite lane of travel where he struck the victim. The Legacy continued traveling in the same direction striking a mailbox in the unit block of Verbena Drive where it crossed the opposite side of the roadway striking a second mailbox. The vehicle then struck a tree where it remained until first responders arrived.
The Ragan was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the striking vehicle was identified as 31-year-old Robert Hagerty, also of Newark. The driver was transported to Christiana Hospital Emergency room for treatment. Officials said while on scene at the hospital Hagerty attempted to disarm a New Castle County Police Officer. Those details were not released to the public at the time.
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.
An 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.
Court records show that Hagerty, who is currently out on supervised custody, has a hearing scheduled in early October.