A Hartly woman is facing multiple felony and traffic charges after Dover Police said she drove through a red light while impaired, causing a crash that seriously injured a motorcyclist Monday afternoon.
The collision occurred on July 13, 2026, at approximately 3:17 p.m. at the intersection of Forrest Avenue and Kenton Road. Dover Police officers responded to reports of a multi-vehicle crash with injuries, and the department’s Collision Reconstruction Unit assumed the investigation due to the severity of the incident.
According to the preliminary investigation, a 2026 Mazda 3 was traveling eastbound on Forrest Avenue when the driver allegedly failed to stop for a red traffic signal and turned left into the path of a westbound 1990 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the Mazda, ejecting the 67-year-old rider, who suffered life-threatening injuries. After the impact, the motorcycle continued to skid and struck a Toyota Land Cruiser, causing minor damage.
The motorcyclist was flown by Delaware State Police helicopter to Christiana Hospital, where he remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Police identified the Mazda driver as Jessica Lopez, 43, of Hartly. Investigators said Lopez displayed signs of impairment at the scene and was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment of minor injuries. During the investigation, officers said they found heroin and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle and on Lopez’s person.
Investigators also determined that Lopez had been arraigned earlier the same day in an unrelated felony case. As part of that proceeding, she had been issued a no-contact order that prohibited her from driving and was released on unsecured bail.
After being released from the hospital, Lopez was charged with first-degree vehicular assault, noncompliance with conditions of bond, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence of drugs, driving while suspended or revoked, failure to yield the right of way while turning left, and failure to stop at a red light. She was committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $33,202 cash bail.
