The Maryland State Police (MSP) now has the operator of the fleeing pick-up in custody. After MSP troopers located the vehicle at the Parsonsburg Road address they began an investigation. They located a person in the home that was able to provide information that Justin W. Mitchell, 25 of Salisbury was the operator of the pick-up in the crash and that he fled the home where he resides prior to police arrival.
Mitchell is currently in custody after police were able to get him on the telephone and convince him to surrender. He is at the Salisbury barracks of the MSP and will be held as an out of state fugitive until he is returned to face charges in Delaware. DSP investigators have since learned the deceased operator of the motorcycle was operating a 1996 Suzuki and was traveling in the right lane of US 13.
Mitchell, who was operating an unregistered 1990 Chevy Pick-Up, was traveling westbound crossing US 13 northbound from Whitesville Road. The motorcycle then struck the left rear of the pick-up resulting in the crash. After impact, the motorcycle slid underneath a 2006 Honda Civic, operated by Michael Carpenter, 25 of Laurel. The Civic was in the center cross over median waiting to cross US 13.
The operator of the motorcycle has been identified as Phillip B. Jester, 25 of Milford. This crash remains under investigation and when additional details are known, including charges against Mr. Mitchell, they will be provided.
(Previous Release Below)
State Police Investigating Hit and Run Fatal Motorcycle Crash
Released Monday, Feb. 2, 2009
The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a fatal hit and run motorcycle crash that has claimed the life of a 25-year old Milford man. Troopers responded to the crash on US 13 northbound in the area of Whitesville Road today at approximately 3:21 pm after it was reported a motorcyclist struck a pick-up and the pick-up fled the scene.
Preliminary investigation revealed the motorcyclist was traveling northbound on US 13 south of Whitesville Road approaching the intersection. The suspect vehicle was crossing US 13 from Whitesville Road when they collided. As a result of the crash the operator of the motorcycle was ejected from the bike and died as a result of injuries sustained at the scene. The pick-up truck fled the scene.
A witness to the crash followed the suspect vehicle to a residence in the 7000 block of Parsonsburg Road in Maryland and notified authorities. Maryland State Police and Wicomico County Sheriffs Deputies responded to the home and have located the truck involved in the crash. However, the operator has not been located.
This is still an active investigation and when additional details are known they will be provided. The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours as investigators examined the scene. It has since been reopened.
Note: the identity of the operator of the fleeing truck has not been positively identified. The name of the deceased motorcyclist will be released after next of kin notification.
Milford, Del. —
