A Delaware woman has been charged with second-degree vehicular homicide after authorities say she rammed her Subaru into a bicyclist and continued driving until her SUV broke down, according to the Delaware State Police.
Kara Gilmore, 46, was traveling east on Atlantic Avenue in Millville around 9 p.m. when she struck 52-year-old Duane Pershing, who was riding west in the eastbound bike lane, police said. The collision occurred east of Whites Neck Road, approximately 4 miles from the Atlantic Coast.
Background
Pershing was found at the crash site with life-threatening injuries and airlifted to a regional hospital, authorities said. He died the following day from his injuries. Gilmore allegedly left the scene after striking the cyclist, continuing east on Atlantic Avenue until her Subaru Forester became disabled in the parking lot of a nearby bank.
Ocean View Police Department officers located Gilmore's vehicle a short time later and observed multiple signs of impairment, according to Delaware State Police. Troopers administered field sobriety tests before arresting her for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Investigation
Following Pershing's death, authorities upgraded several of Gilmore's charges. She now faces one count of second-degree vehicular homicide, one count of leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death, and one count of driving under the influence of alcohol, along with additional related traffic offenses.
Gilmore was initially released on a $3,404 unsecured bond following her arrest for DUI. After the charges were upgraded following Pershing's death, she was taken into custody in Maryland, where she is from, according to police.
The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate the crash. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them.
Key Takeaways
- Duane Pershing, 52, was struck while riding his bicycle westbound in the eastbound bike lane on Atlantic Avenue in Millville, Del.
- Kara Gilmore, 46, allegedly left her travel lane, entered the bike lane, and hit Pershing before continuing to drive.
- Officers found Gilmore's disabled Subaru Forester in a nearby bank parking lot after she allegedly fled the scene.
- Police say Gilmore showed multiple signs of impairment when contacted by officers and was arrested for DUI.
- Following Pershing's death, charges were upgraded and Gilmore was apprehended in Maryland where she resides.
What's Next
The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit said Thursday that the investigation remains ongoing. No court dates have been set as of this report.