A tragic accident unfolded on April 29, 2025, when a U-Haul van driven by 22-year-old Gordon Turner of New Castle, Delaware, struck multiple pedestrians near the University of Delaware campus in Newark. The crash tragically killed a 24-year-old graduate student and left seven others injured. Turner now faces multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and several other offenses related to the incident, such as possession of a firearm and marijuana.
The sequence of events began when authorities discovered the overdue U-Haul van, which had not been returned since March 18, 2025. When police attempted to arrest Turner and a passenger, Turner allegedly fled the scene, speeding through the area and striking pedestrians and parked cars. A gun was later found in the van following the crash.
The University of Delaware community is mourning the loss of the graduate student, who was pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry. In response to the tragedy, a memorial has been set up at the crash site, and students are calling for enhanced safety measures along Main Street to prevent further incidents like this one.
