State Police Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Smyrna

Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred early yesterday morning in Smyrna.

On October 11, 2024, at approximately 5:48 a.m., a 65-year-old Dover, Delaware, man was driving a Kenworth dump truck northbound on South Dupont Boulevard, just north of Spring Meadow Drive. A 20-year-old Dover, Delaware, woman was following behind the dump truck in a Ford Ranger. At the time, a 31-year-old pedestrian from Wilmington, Delaware, was standing in the grass median of South Dupont Boulevard, north of Spring Meadow Drive. She entered the roadway directly in front of the dump truck, resulting in a collision. She eventually fell onto the roadway and was run over by the Ford Ranger.

Neither driver was injured in the crash. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. She was later identified as Charisma Whaley.

The northbound lanes of South Dupont Boulevard were closed for approximately three and a half hours while the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the crash and cleared the roadway.

The investigation remains ongoing. Troopers are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Master Corporal W. Booth at (302) 698-8451. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime, or you have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at [email protected].