Dover driver charged after serious motorcycle crash and alleged drug-impaired driving
Dover police charged Jessica Lopez with eight offenses after a three-vehicle crash at Forrest Avenue and Kenton Road left a 67-year-old motorcycle operator with life-threatening injuries, according to the department.
The collision occurred at approximately 3:17 p.m. July 13, 2026. The Dover Police Department announced the charges July 14 following an investigation by its Collision Reconstruction Unit.
Motorcyclist taken by helicopter
Police said the motorcycle operator was ejected in the crash. The 67-year-old man was transported by Delaware State Police helicopter to Christiana Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The department did not provide an updated condition for the motorcyclist in its release. Police described the incident as a multiple-vehicle crash involving three vehicles at the Dover intersection.
According to police, Lopez failed to stop for a red light and turned into the motorcycle’s path. Those are investigative allegations reported by police, not court findings.
Charges include vehicular assault and DUI allegation
Police reported that Lopez showed signs of impairment. Officers also reported finding heroin and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and on Lopez’s person. The release does not establish that a particular substance caused any alleged impairment.
Lopez was charged with first-degree vehicular assault, bond-condition noncompliance, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence of drugs, driving while suspended or revoked, failure to yield and failure to stop at a red light.
Police further said Lopez had been arraigned earlier on July 13 in an unrelated felony case and released under a no-contact order that prohibited her from driving. The bond-condition count is an allegation, and the prior case and the crash case have not been resolved by a court in the information released by police.
Investigation remained open
Lopez was committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $33,202 cash bail, police said.
The charges do not constitute a conviction. No later court hearing date, amended charges, plea, verdict or final case outcome was included in the police release.
Police said the crash investigation remained ongoing when the department issued its July 14 announcement. The case concerns a serious injury at a busy Dover intersection as well as allegations involving impaired driving, controlled substances and compliance with conditions of release.
Sources
- Dover Police Investigate Serious Injury Crash, Driver Charged with DUI and Drug Offenses, Dover Police Department