Delaware State Police have charged 46-year-old Kara Gilmore of Ocean City, Maryland, with vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, driving under the influence, and additional charges after a deadly hit-and-run collision involving a bicyclist in Millville Tuesday evening.
The crash happened on June 9, 2026, around 9:05 p.m. on Atlantic Avenue east of Whites Neck Road. According to the initial investigation, a cyclist was riding westbound in the eastbound bicycle lane when Gilmore’s Subaru Forester, which was heading eastbound, veered out of the travel lane and into the bike lane, striking the rider. Following the collision, Gilmore fled the scene, but Ocean View Police Department officers found her disabled vehicle shortly afterward in the Artisan’s Bank parking lot on Atlantic Avenue. When state troopers made contact with Gilmore, they observed signs indicating she was impaired and arrested her for DUI after conducting Standardized Field Sobriety Tests.
The cyclist, 52-year-old Duane Pershing of Ocean View, Delaware, was airlifted to a hospital with critical injuries. He succumbed to those injuries on June 10, 2026.
Following her arrest, Gilmore was transported to Troop 4 and initially faced these charges before being arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on a $3,404 unsecured bond:
- Vehicular Assault 1st Degree (Felony)
- Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Injury
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
- Related Traffic Offenses
On June 11, 2026, officers secured an additional arrest warrant for Gilmore and apprehended her in Maryland. When she is extradited back to Delaware, she will face additional felony charges of vehicular homicide 2nd Degree and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death.
The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Investigators are requesting that anyone who saw the crash or has relevant information contact Master Corporal R. Albert at (302) 703-3266. Tips can also be submitted through private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or through Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.
Crime victims, witnesses, or those who have lost loved ones to sudden death can receive support and resources around the clock from the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center through their toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). The Victim Services Unit can also be reached via email at [email protected].
