Disabled Ellendale man fatally struck by driver who was looking for him

Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident that happened Tuesday evening on North Old State Road in Ellendale.

Shortly before 6:19 PM, police say 44-year-old Luis D. Rivera was driving a 1986 Ford F350 box truck northbound on North Old State Road just north of Beach Highway. Rivera was reportedly looking for 46-year-old Willie A. Purnell, an intellectually disabled man who left a nearby residence while unsupervised.

Police say as Rivera was searching for Purnell, he failed to see Purnell walking on the roadway in front of him. The truck reportedly struck Purnell, projecting the man into a ditch on the side of the road. Purnell was transported to Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital by EMS and was pronounced dead.

Rivera, who stopped after striking Purnell, was assaulted at the scene by a 29-year-old relative of Purnell, officials said. Rivera was sent to Milford Memorial and later released.

After his release, police arrested Rivera and charged him with 6th offense driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while suspended and revoked and no proof of insurance. He was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $15,000 cash bond. Police say Rivera had five prior DUI convictions between 1993 and 2008.

At this time, the 29-year-old man has not been charged in relation to the alleged assault and police are continuing their investigation on that part of the incident.