Delaware suspects in unreturned rental van fatally strike 1, injure several others fleeing police: authorities

Fox News - Apr 30th, 2025
Open on Fox News

A tragic incident occurred near the University of Delaware when a U-Haul van, overdue for return, struck multiple pedestrians and a police vehicle. The Newark Police Department identified the van as an 'unauthorized use vehicle' and attempted to arrest the two suspects inside. However, the suspects fled, leading to a deadly crash that resulted in the death of one pedestrian and serious injuries to another. The driver and passenger of the U-Haul were detained, with the driver also sustaining serious injuries.

The incident highlights significant concerns around vehicle rental misuse and public safety, particularly in busy areas near educational institutions. The Newark Police Department is conducting a thorough investigation, and the area remains closed off to facilitate emergency response and traffic analysis. This event underscores the need for improved monitoring of rental vehicles and better enforcement of return policies to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.4
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a largely accurate and timely account of a tragic incident involving a U-Haul van in Newark, Delaware. It effectively conveys the sequence of events and the police response, supported by credible sources such as the Newark Police Department. However, the story could benefit from additional perspectives, such as those of victims' families or community members, to enhance balance and engagement. The article is clear and accessible, but it lacks transparency regarding the gathering and verification of information. While it addresses a topic of public interest, its potential impact on policy or societal change is moderate without additional context or expert analysis. Overall, the story is a reliable source of information on the incident, though it could be strengthened by broader sourcing and deeper exploration of the event's implications.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of a tragic incident involving a U-Haul van in Newark, Delaware, which aligns well with available facts. The article accurately reports the location, time, and nature of the incident, such as the involvement of an unreturned U-Haul van and the subsequent police interaction. However, the lack of specific information about the identities of the suspects and victims, as well as their potential connections to the University of Delaware, leaves some aspects unverifiable. The claim that the police did not engage in a vehicle pursuit is presented, but further details about the police's decision-making process would strengthen the factual basis. Overall, the article's primary claims are supported by police statements, making it largely accurate.

7
Balance

The article maintains a neutral tone and presents the facts without apparent bias. It focuses on the sequence of events and the responses of the police, providing a straightforward account of the incident. However, the article does not explore perspectives from the victims' families, witnesses, or community members, which could offer a more rounded view of the impact. Including these perspectives could enhance the story's balance by providing a fuller picture of the incident's repercussions.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey the events. The sequence of events is logically presented, allowing the reader to follow the narrative easily. The use of subheadings and quotes from police statements adds to the clarity and helps to break down the information into digestible parts. However, the inclusion of more context about the implications of the incident or background on similar cases could enhance the reader's comprehension.

8
Source quality

The primary source of information is the Newark Police Department, which is a credible and authoritative source for the incident described. The article also references a police news release, lending reliability to the claims made. However, the story relies heavily on official statements without additional corroboration from independent sources or eyewitness accounts, which could further validate the details provided. The absence of diverse sourcing slightly limits the depth of reporting.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear account of the incident based on police reports, but it lacks transparency in certain areas. It does not disclose the methodology used to gather information or any potential conflicts of interest. The lack of detail about how the information was verified or whether attempts were made to contact witnesses or victims' families for comments reduces the transparency. Greater disclosure of these aspects would improve the reader's understanding of how the story was constructed.

Sources

  1. https://6abc.com/post/pedestrian-injured-crash-involving-van-university-delaware/16279771/
  2. https://www.foxnews.com/us/delaware-suspects-unreturned-rental-van-fatally-strike-1-injure-several-others-fleeing-police-authorities
  3. https://www.wboc.com/news/delaware-state-police-investigating-two-vehicle-accident-in-sussex-county/article_30e0e5d0-dff4-11ee-a9ad-1f486a13861e.html
  4. https://www.uhaul.com/Locations/Delaware-OH-43015/Results/