Nathan Sinex and Cara Feeley, both 17, died after being struck on Dupont Parkway, state police said.
TOWNSEND, DE — A 23-year-old New Jersey man has been charged after a hit-and-run crash early Saturday killed two 17-year-old pedestrians on Dupont Parkway in Townsend, Delaware State Police said.
Nizaiah Ellis, of Newfield, New Jersey, was arrested after troopers stopped a damaged Nissan Altima in Smyrna, police said. The crash killed Nathan Sinex and Cara Feeley, both of Townsend. The charges mark the first public step in a criminal case that remains under review by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.
The crash happened about 1:10 a.m. June 20 on southbound Dupont Parkway, south of Denny Lynn Drive. Police said Sinex and Feeley were walking an electric bike in or near the left lane when a Nissan Altima traveled south toward them. The front of the Nissan struck both teens, according to the preliminary investigation. Police said the driver stopped at first, then continued south and left the scene. Both teens were pronounced dead where the crash happened.
Troopers later found the Nissan traveling southbound on Dupont Parkway near Paddock Road in Smyrna and made a traffic stop. Police said Ellis was driving the car and that troopers saw damage to the Nissan that matched the crash under investigation. Ellis was taken into custody without incident and brought to Troop 9. Investigators later confirmed the Nissan was involved in the fatal collision, police said. Authorities have not released details on how far the car traveled after the crash or whether anyone else was inside the vehicle.
The roadway was closed for about four hours while investigators processed the scene and cleared the highway. Dupont Parkway, also known as U.S. 13, is a major north-south route through central Delaware. The crash site sits in the Townsend area of southern New Castle County, near Denny Lynn Drive. Police have not said why the teens were in or near the left lane, where they were headed or whether street lighting, speed or other roadway conditions played a role. Those questions remain part of the open investigation.
Ellis was charged with two felony counts of leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death and one count of failure to report a collision resulting in death. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on a $12,050 secured bond. The charges are allegations, and Ellis is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Police have not announced any additional charges. No court hearing date was listed in the public police update.
State police identified the victims Monday, two days after the crash. Sinex and Feeley were both from Townsend, tying the deaths closely to the small community where the collision happened. The police update did not include statements from relatives or school officials, and no public memorial details were included in the official release. Investigators said they are continuing to review evidence, including any video that may show the crash, the Nissan before impact or the vehicle after it left the scene.
The case remains with the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit. As of Tuesday, police had identified the victims, named the driver, listed the charges and said the investigation was continuing.
Author note: Last updated Tuesday, June 23, 2026.