MIDDLETOWN, Del. — Authorities have confirmed that 38-year-old Francisco Mendez-Peralta, of Chestertown, Maryland, has been taken into custody in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred Thursday night, October 30, 2025, in Middletown.
The Delaware State Police (DSP) said the tragic incident happened around 7:50 p.m., when a 62-year-old Middletown man riding an E-Bike was traveling northbound along Middletown Warwick Road, approximately one mile north of Strawberry Lane. According to investigators, a northbound Chevrolet Equinox approached from behind and, for reasons still under investigation, struck the E-Bike, ejecting the rider onto the roadway before fleeing the scene.
Emergency responders from the Delaware State Police Aviation Section airlifted the injured man to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity, pending notification of next of kin.
The roadway was closed for approximately three and a half hours as DSP Troop 2’s Collision Reconstruction Unit processed the scene, collected evidence, and documented the crash site.
Through extensive investigation, Middletown Police obtained surveillance video footage showing the suspect’s vehicle leaving the area immediately following the collision. Working closely with the Maryland State Police, troopers were able to locate the Chevrolet Equinox in a public alleyway near a residence in Chestertown, Maryland.
Further investigation led officers to identify Francisco Mendez-Peralta as the vehicle’s owner and alleged driver at the time of the crash.
Mendez-Peralta was taken into custody in Maryland and formally charged in the District Court for Kent County as a fugitive from justice based on the pending Delaware warrant. According to court records, he appeared remotely before Judge Nunn on October 31, 2025, and was ordered held without bond pending extradition proceedings.
Court documents describe Mendez-Peralta as 5 feet 1 inch tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The filings also include requests for a court-appointed attorney, a language interpreter, and a pre-trial supervision assessment as part of the ongoing process.
The Maryland State Police Centreville Barrack handled the arrest, and coordination between Delaware and Maryland authorities remains ongoing to expedite the extradition process.
Once returned to Delaware, Mendez-Peralta will face multiple felony charges, including:
- Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Death (Felony)
- Cars Involved in Death Remain at Scene for the Arrival of Police (Felony)
- Failure to Report a Collision Resulting in Death (Felony)
Delaware State Police officials commended the swift cooperation between jurisdictions that led to the suspect’s apprehension within hours of the crash.
“This was a tragic event, and our hearts are with the victim’s family,” a DSP spokesperson said. “The teamwork between Delaware and Maryland law enforcement was instrumental in bringing this case to a quick resolution.”
The investigation remains active as authorities continue to gather evidence and await forensic analysis from the vehicle.
The name of the victim will be released once next of kin notifications have been made.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has additional information is encouraged to contact the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
