GLASGOW, Del. — Delaware State Police have arrested 28-year-old Fidel Villatoro-Martinez of Newark in connection with a fatal two-vehicle crash Tuesday night that left one man dead and another injured. Investigators say alcohol and a red-light violation were factors in the collision, which occurred at the intersection of DE-896 and Pulaski Highway.
The crash happened on January 21, 2025, at approximately 10:39 p.m. when a 2019 Dodge Ram, traveling southbound on DE-896 with a green traffic signal, was struck by a 2004 Chevrolet Express van driven by Villatoro-Martinez. The van, traveling westbound on Pulaski Highway, entered the intersection on a red signal, colliding with the Dodge.
The driver of the Dodge, 51-year-old David Funk of Centreville, Maryland, was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and succumbed to those injuries the following day. A 16-year-old passenger in the Dodge suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was also hospitalized.
Villatoro-Martinez was taken to a hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. Troopers reported the presence of alcohol containers in his vehicle and detected the odor of alcohol on his breath. Following an investigation, Villatoro-Martinez was charged with first-degree vehicular assault (a felony), second-degree vehicular assault, DUI, driving without a valid license, failure to stop at a red light, and other traffic offenses.
He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and is being held on a $3,500 secured bond as further charges related to the fatality are pending.
The Delaware State Police continue to investigate the incident.