Dover Police mourn the loss of two members after single vehicle crash

Dover Police Department announced the loss of two of their members.

Patrolman Robert DaFonte, a two-year-veteran of the Dover Police Department, and Cadet James Watts, a 6-month member of the Special Enforcement Cadet Unit died in an early morning vehicle crash in the area of Hazletville Road and Nault Road.

Deputy Chief Marvin Mailey says, “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the tragic loss of two members of the Dover Police Department family. Officer Robert DaFonte and Cadet James Watts were outstanding employees and were committed to serving the citizens of Dover. As we mourn the loss of our fellow officer and cadet, we ask the community to keep their families and the members of the Dover Police Department in your thoughts.”  

DSP is currently investigating the single vehicle fatal crash. Police say around 4:05 a.m. Sunday February 26, 2017, 23-year-old Robert E. DaFonte was operating a 2016 Jeep Wrangler westbound on Hazlettville Road, east of Nault Road approaching a sharp right curve.

According to police, DaFonte failed to negotiate the curve and traveled off the south side of the roadway down an embankment and struck a utility pole with the driver’s side door. 

We are told the Jeep continued westbound overturning and ejecting the right front passenger before coming to a stop on the passenger side.

DSP say Robert DaFonte was properly restrained and was pronounced dead at the scene. 22-year-old James D. Watts, was seated in the right front passenger's seat, was not properly restrained and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.