The Delaware State Police have released additional information regarding a traffic stop and arrest in Dover after video of the incident circulated widely on social media.
According to police, the incident began on July 7, 2026, at approximately 6:05 p.m., when a trooper stopped a Mercury Grand Marquis in the area of South Bay Road and Lafferty Lane after a computer inquiry indicated the vehicle’s registration had been suspended because of an uninsured motorist violation. The driver, identified as 38-year-old Sierra Hopkins of Dover, was traveling with four juvenile passengers.
Troopers said they determined Hopkins’ driver’s license was also suspended and that she had been stopped by Delaware State Police five days earlier for the same violations. Hopkins reportedly acknowledged that her insurance had been canceled but told the trooper she was working to resolve the issue.
Police said the trooper initially decided to issue traffic citations without towing the vehicle despite department policy, citing Hopkins’ circumstances. After a verbal disagreement, Hopkins was issued citations and allowed to leave.
According to the agency, the trooper later concluded that the vehicle should have been towed under divisional policy and conducted a second traffic stop in the left-turn lane of East Lebanon Road near the entrance to McDonald’s. Police said the trooper instructed Hopkins to move the vehicle into the restaurant parking lot so it could be towed, but she refused and also refused repeated commands to exit the vehicle.
State police said the trooper attempted to physically remove Hopkins from the vehicle after she resisted and held onto the steering wheel. The trooper then displayed a Taser, prompting Hopkins to exit the vehicle. Police said she was ordered to lie on the ground but refused, leading the trooper to use physical force to bring her to the ground while attempting to take her into custody.
Investigators allege Hopkins continued resisting, kicking the trooper and scratching his face. Police said the trooper then used defensive strikes before stepping back and deploying his Taser. Responding troopers assisted in taking Hopkins into custody.
Hopkins was transported to Troop 3, where she was charged with second-degree assault involving injury to a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with force or violence causing injury to an officer, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief under $1,000, driving while suspended or revoked, failure to maintain required insurance, and additional driver’s license and registration violations.
Following arraignment in Justice of the Peace Court, Hopkins was committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on $10,000 cash bail.
The agency said it immediately initiated an internal review following the arrest, consistent with its policy for incidents involving a response to resistance, and stated the review remains ongoing.
The Delaware State Police said its internal review remains active and is seeking additional information related to the incident. Anyone who witnessed the arrest or has video that may assist investigators is asked to contact Lieutenant J. Jones at Troop 3 by calling (302) 698-8449.
