BEAR, DE – Delaware State Police have arrested 46-year-old Omar Mendoza of New Castle in connection with a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred Sunday morning on US Route 40 near Fir Avenue.
The incident happened on September 28, 2025, around 10:00 a.m., when Mendoza, driving a Chevrolet Malibu eastbound, entered a crossover at Fir Avenue, failed to stop at a stop sign, and drove diagonally across the westbound lanes into oncoming traffic. A westbound Suzuki motorcycle struck the front of the Malibu, ejecting both its riders.
A 44-year-old female passenger on the motorcycle, from New Castle, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her name has not been released pending family notification. The 36-year-old male operator of the motorcycle, from Bear, was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Mendoza also sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized.
Upon release, Mendoza was taken to Troop 2 where he was charged with:
- Vehicular Homicide Second Degree (Felony)
- Driving Without a Valid License
- Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign
- Driving on the Wrong Side of the Roadway
- Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device
He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $10,250 cash bond.
The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact Corporal K. Oakes at (302) 365-8483 or submit tips via Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
