TOWNSEND, DE — Delaware State Police say two 17-year-old pedestrians were killed early Saturday when a Nissan Altima struck them on southbound Dupont Parkway in Townsend and the driver left the scene.
Troopers later stopped the car in Smyrna, arrested 23-year-old Nizaiah Ellis of Newfield, New Jersey, and say damage to the vehicle matched the collision.
Crash happened near Denny Lynn Drive just after 1 a.m.
Investigators said the pedestrians were walking an electric bike in or near the left lane of southbound Dupont Parkway, south of Denny Lynn Drive, around 1:10 a.m. on June 20, 2026.
The front of the Nissan hit both pedestrians, according to the preliminary investigation. The driver initially stopped, then kept going southbound and fled the area.
Troopers found the vehicle in Smyrna and took Ellis into custody
Police located the Nissan traveling southbound on Dupont Parkway near Paddock Road in Smyrna and carried out a traffic stop. Ellis was taken into custody without incident and brought to Troop 9.
Troopers said they confirmed the Nissan was involved in the crash through the investigation.
Victims were Townsend teens and the road closed for four hours
The victims, a 17-year-old male and a 17-year-old female from Townsend, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names have not been released because family notifications were still pending.
The roadway remained closed for about four hours while investigators processed and cleared the scene.
Ellis faces felony counts while investigators seek witnesses
Ellis was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on a $12,050 secured bond, police said.
He was charged with two counts of leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death and one count of failure to report a collision resulting in death. The Collision Reconstruction Unit is still investigating and is asking witnesses or anyone with video to come forward.
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