State Police Arrest New Jersey Man Following Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash That Killed Two Teen Pedestrians in Townsend

The Delaware State Police have arrested 23-year-old Nizaiah Ellis from Newfield, New Jersey, following a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the deaths of two teenage pedestrians early Saturday morning in Townsend.

According to the company, the incident occurred on June 20, 2026, around 1:10 a.m. Two pedestrians, a 17-year-old male and a 17-year-old female from Townsend, were walking an electric bike in the left lane of southbound Dupont Parkway when a Nissan Altima struck them. The vehicle's driver initially stopped after the collision but eventually left the scene.

Troopers later located the Nissan Altima traveling southbound on Dupont Parkway near Paddock Road in Smyrna. Upon stopping the vehicle, they identified Ellis as the driver and observed damage consistent with the crash. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 9, where further investigation confirmed the vehicle's involvement in the incident.

The two pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene, and their identities are being withheld pending notification of their families. The roadway was closed for approximately four hours during the investigation and clearance of the scene.

Ellis has been charged with two counts of Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Death (Felony) and Failure to Report a Collision Resulting in Death. He has been arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on a secured bond of $12,050.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate the crash and is appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has video footage to contact Corporal K. Oakes at (302) 365-8483. Information can also be communicated privately through the Delaware State Police's Facebook page or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.