Monday, 17 August 2026 / Published in Local Accidents

Woman Killed in Drunk Driving Crash on RT 13 in New Castle, DE

New Castle, DE (August 17, 2026) – A 54-year-old woman lost her life on Saturday night, August 15, in a fatal collision caused by an alleged impaired driver who blew through a stop sign in New Castle. Delaware State Police troopers and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of U.S. Route 13 and Schafer Boulevard around 10:50 p.m.

According to police reports, the woman was riding a motorcycle northbound in the right lane of Route 13 as she approached Schafer Boulevard. At the same time, a 42-year-old male was driving a Mazda 6 westbound on Schafer Boulevard toward the highway.

Investigators determined that the Mazda driver failed to stop at the stop sign and struck the motorcycle. The woman sustained fatal injuries in the impact and was pronounced deceased.

Police officers noted signs of impairment at the scene, and he subsequently failed field sobriety tests.

Authorities arrested the driver and charged him with second-degree vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, and failure to stop at a stop sign.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the victim during this painful time.

What Rights Do Families Have After a Fatal Impaired Driving Crash in New Castle, DE?

After a fatal impaired driving crash in New Castle, DE, surviving family members have the legal right under Delaware law to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover financial compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, loss of household contributions, loss of companionship, and potential punitive damages.

Under Delaware civil law, driving under the influence constitutes clear negligence per se. When these preventable collisions result in a fatal tragedy, Delaware law grants specific surviving relatives, such as a spouse, children, or parents, the statutory right to bring a civil wrongful death action against the negligent driver to hold them fully accountable.

Pursuing a wrongful death claim allows eligible family members to seek comprehensive monetary recovery for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages cover direct financial harms, including emergency medical expenses incurred prior to passing, funeral and burial arrangements, loss of expected financial support, and the loss of valuable household services.

Non-economic damages compensate surviving relatives for the deep emotional impact of the loss, including mental anguish and the loss of spousal or parental guidance and companionship.

Navigating a wrongful death claim while grieving requires careful legal oversight to preserve crucial proof from active criminal investigations, secure police crash reports, audit all primary and umbrella insurance policy limits, and handle complex insurance negotiations.

Partnering with a skilled wrongful death attorney ensures that law enforcement records are preserved and that your family’s rights are fully protected.

At Murphy & Landon, we help families in Delaware understand their legal options after fatal accidents.

To discuss your situation, contact Murphy & Landon at (302) 472-8100. We will listen to your story and help your family understand the next legal steps to take.

Note: Our law firm utilizes secondary sources to create this post. The facts surrounding this specific accident have not been independently verified. Contact Murphy & Landon if you locate any information that is inaccurate. We will update the post right away to reflect the most accurate information available.

Disclaimer: None of the information in this post is intended to be legal advice or medical advice. This is not a solicitation for business. If you have been injured in an accident, get medical attention as soon as possible. The photo used in this post was not taken at the accident scene.