Hartly Driver Charged after Seriously Injuring 67-Year-Old Motorcyclist in Dover Crash

DOVER, Del. – The Dover Police Department has arrested a Hartly driver in connection with a crash that seriously injured a 67-year-old motorcyclist on Monday.

Police have arrested 43-year-old Jessica Lopez on charges of first degree vehicular assault, driving under the influence of drugs, felony noncompliance with conditions of bond, and related traffic charges. She was arraigned and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $33,202 cash bail.

On Jul. 13, at 3:17 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Forrest Avenue and Kenton Road for a report of a motor vehicle collision involving multiple vehicles with injuries. Due to the severity of the crash, the Dover Police Collision Reconstruction Unit responded and assumed the investigation.

Their preliminary investigation determined that a 2026 Mazda 3 was traveling eastbound on Forrest Avenue when it failed to stop for a red traffic signal before making a left turn into the path of a 1990 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the Mazda, ejecting the 67-year-old motorcyclist, who sustained life-threatening injuries. After the collision, the motorcycle continued to skid and struck a third vehicle, causing minor damage.

The motorcyclist was airlifted to Christiana Hospital, where police say he remains hospitalized in serious condition.

The driver of the Mazda, identified as Lopez, displayed signs of impairment at the scene and was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment of minor injuries. During the investigation, officers located heroin and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle and on Lopez’s person.

Investigators also learned that Lopez had been arraigned earlier that same day on an unrelated felony case, where she was issued a No Contact Order prohibiting her from driving and was released on unsecured bail. Following her release from the hospital, Lopez was taken into custody by Dover Police.