A Wilmington woman is behind bars on vehicular homicide charges after authorities say she ran a red light while under the influence, causing a deadly collision that claimed the life of a 72-year-old Newark man.
Michelle Palazzolo, 35, was taken into custody following the fatal accident that happened Saturday afternoon, April 18, 2026, around 2:20 p.m. at the intersection of Rocky Run Parkway and Concord Pike in Wilmington.
According to investigators, the elderly victim was driving a gray Toyota Prius eastbound on Rocky Run Parkway in the left-turn lane when he received a green arrow signal to turn north onto Concord Pike. Meanwhile, Palazzolo was behind the wheel of a white Ford Taurus heading south on Concord Pike toward the intersection, where she faced a red traffic signal.
Police say Palazzolo disregarded the red light and drove into the intersection, where the front end of her vehicle struck the left side of the Toyota as the victim was making his legal turn.
The Newark man was rushed to a nearby medical facility but succumbed to his injuries. Authorities are withholding his identity pending family notification.
Palazzolo also required hospitalization for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Officers noted she displayed indicators of impairment during the incident.
The major roadway remained shut down for roughly three and a half hours as crash reconstruction specialists documented the scene and cleared the wreckage.
Following her release from the hospital, Palazzolo appeared before Justice of the Peace Court 11 and was ordered held at the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $10,250 secured bail.
The charges against her include: Vehicular Homicide 2nd Degree Driving Under the Influence (Felony), Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Failure to Have Required Insurance, and Failure to Stop at a Red Light.
The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit remains actively involved in the ongoing investigation. Authorities are seeking any witnesses to the crash or individuals with pertinent information to contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki at (302) 365-8417. Tips can also be submitted through private Facebook messages to Delaware State Police or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Support services are available for crime victims, witnesses, or families affected by sudden loss through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, accessible around the clock at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or via email at [email protected].
