Suspect arrested in crash that killed two UMES students in Seaford

SEAFORD, Del. – A Georgetown man has been arrested in connection to a crash that claimed the lives of two University of Maryland Eastern Shore students earlier this month.

The crash happened at around 1:30 a.m. on October 6th. A 2016 Nissan Rogue was driving southbound on Sussex Highway in the left lane, south of Cannon Road. At the same time, a 2005 Honda Pilot was driving northbound in the southbound lane, in the Rogue’s path of travel. The vehicles collided as a result.

The driver of the Rogue, a 22-year-old Washington D.C. man, and a back seat passenger, an 18-year-old Bethesda woman, were taken to an area hospital for critical injuries. Two other passengers, identified as 22-year-old Eric Staley and 18-year-old Makayla Belton, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Pilot, identified as 24-year-old Luis Lucas-Mendez, was taken to an area hospital for serious injuries. A passenger, a 40-year-old man, was taken to an area hospital with critical injuries.

Further investigation determined that Lucas-Mendez was driving under the influence at the time of the crash. After being released from the hospital, he was arrested and charged with two counts of second degree vehicular homicide, first degree reckless endangering, three counts of second degree vehicular assault, driving under the influence, driving without a valid license, failure to have insurance identification in possession, and failure to drive in proper lane and direction.

Lucas-Mendez was held at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $30,201 cash bond.