Late Thursday evening in Middletown, Delaware, a tragedy unfolded that would ripple through the community — a 62-year-old man riding an e-bike was fatally struck on Middletown Warwick Road and the driver fled. Today, the Delaware State Police (DSP) confirmed they have an arrest warrant for 38-year-old Francisco Mendez‑Peralta of Chestertown, Maryland, in connection with the hit-and-run.
It was approximately 7:50 p.m. on October 30 when responders say the victim was travelling northbound on the road — riding his e-bike in the northbound lane or on the right shoulder near Strawberry Lane — when a Chevrolet Equinox, also heading north, struck him from behind. The force of the impact launched the victim into the roadway. The driver of the SUV did not stop, did not render aid, and fled the scene. The troopers closed the road for about 3.5 hours as they reconstructed the crash site and gathered evidence.
Within hours, investigators reviewed surveillance footage and identified a damaged Equinox. Working with the Maryland State Police, they traced the vehicle to an alleyway near a residence in Chestertown. That’s where they located the SUV, hidden and showing clear signs of the crash. That is also how Mendez-Peralta was identified as the driver.
Mendez-Peralta was arrested by Maryland troopers and appeared remotely before Judge Nunn in Kent County District Court on October 31. He is currently held without bond, pending extradition to Delaware to face multiple felony charges including leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death, failure to report a collision resulting in death, and ‘cars involved in death remain at scene for the arrival of police.’
Meanwhile, as Middletown grapples with the loss, the victim’s identity is still being withheld until his next of kin have been notified. The DSP is urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has video footage to reach out to Corporal K. Oakes at (302) 365-8483, or contact Delaware Crime Stoppers.
This incident is a stark reminder of how quickly a routine ride can turn tragic — and how critical it is for drivers to stop, render aid, call authorities. The swift cooperation across state lines in this case is notable, but it comes too late for the man whose life ended far too early. Middletown must now heal, and the hope is that justice will follow swiftly for the family left behind.