NEW CASTLE, DE – The Delaware State Police are investigating two carjackings that led to multiple crashes, including the death of a pedestrian and the kidnapping of a 77-year-old woman.
“Delaware State Police arrested and charged Brittallia Semaan, 30, of New Castle, after she committed two carjackings, was involved in multiple crashes, including a fatal pedestrian crash, and kidnapped a 77-year-old New Castle woman,” police said.
Police issued the following statement:
On March 13, 2022, at approximately 9:31 a.m., troopers were dispatched to the area of 4049 New Castle Avenue for a reported carjacking. The initial investigation determined a female suspect, later identified as Brittallia Semaan, entered the front passenger side of a parked white Chevrolet Trax. A 67-year-old male and 66-year-old female attempted to remove Brittallia from their SUV but were unsuccessful as she moved into the driver’s seat. As Brittallia attempted to flee the area, the female victim was struck by the SUV and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. At the time of the initial carjacking, two juveniles were seated in the backseat of the SUV but were successfully able to exit before Brittallia fled with the Trax southbound on RT. 9.
Moments later, Brittallia struck a 48-year-old New Castle man just south of Boothhurst Blvd. The victim was transported by EMS to an area hospital where he, unfortunately, died from his injuries. Identification is pending notification to next of kin. This fatal pedestrian collision remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Additional information regarding the crash will be released once it becomes available.
After the fatal pedestrian crash, Brittallia flees southbound into Old New Castle and enters the parking lot of the SPCA located in the area of South Street and 6th Street. At the same time, a 19-year-old female pedestrian was walking in the parking lot. For unknown reasons, Brittallia swerved into the pedestrian’s path, striking her. Fortunately, the victim sustained minor injuries.
Brittallia then exited the parking lot and traveled southbound on South Street before turning right onto Washington Street and began traveling northbound. At the same time, a Maserati was traveling southbound on Washington Street, approaching Brittallia’s vehicle. For unknown reasons, Brittallia crossed over the double yellow line and crashed head-on with the Maserati on Rt 141 just before the intersection of SR 273. The driver, a 34-year-old Wilmington man, and passenger, a 26-year-old Wilmington woman, sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the crash.
After the crash occurred, a good Samaritan stopped at the crash scene to help. At that time, Brittallia entered the backseat of the 62-year-old New Castle man’s Ford Explorer. He confronted her and told her to exit his car. As she complied, she quickly entered the driver’s seat and attempted to flee the scene. The 62-year-old male tried to stop Brittallia but was unsuccessful and was dragged a short distance but was uninjured. As Brittallia fled the scene, a 77-year-old New Castle woman was still seated in the front passenger seat.
With the female passenger still in the Explorer, Brittallia continued traveling onto southbound River Road, where she collided with the rear of a Honda Odyssey in the area of Hamburg Rd. The 52-year-old female driver and the 77-year-old female passenger in Brittallia’s vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
“After striking the man, Semaan fled southbound into Old New Castle, striking a 19-year-old woman in the parking lot of the SPCA in the area of South and Sixth Streets, authorities say.
Semaan was charged with the following charges:
- Kidnapping First Degree (Felony)
- 2 Counts- Robbery First Degree (Felony)
- 4 Counts- Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony)
- 5 Counts- Terroristic Threatening
- Vehicular Homicide Second Degree (Felony)
- Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Death (Felony)
- Failure to Report Collision
- Failed to Remain Within a Single Lane
Brittallia Semaan was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $254,000.00 cash bond.
