Georgetown Man Charged With Vehicular Homicide In Death Of Passenger

Location: County Seat Highway (SR9) west of Asbury Road, Georgetown, DE

Date of Occurrence: Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 2:30 a.m.

Defendant/Charges/Bond Information: Victor Hugo-Martinez-21 of Georgetown, DE (photo not available at time of release)
Vehicular Homicide First Degree
Reckless Endangering First Degree (3 counts)
Vehicular Assault Second Degree (3 counts)
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Reckless Driving
Committed to SCI on $16,500 Cash Bond

Victims:
Jesus A. Diaz-19 of Georgetown, DE (Deceased)
19 year old male from Georgetown, DE (Treated and released minor injuries)
19 year female from Georgetown, DE (Treated and released minor injuries)
21 year old male from Georgetown, DE (Treated and released minor injuries)

Resume:
Georgetown-The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit has charged a 21 year old Georgetown man with Vehicular Homicide and related charges in connection with the death of a 19 year old male from a motor vehicle crash that occurred early this morning west of Georgetown.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the crash occurred on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at approximately 2:30 a.m. as a 19 female was operating a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle traveling eastbound on County Seat Highway (SR9). The Volkswagen was also occupied by a 21 year old male from Georgetown, seated in the front passenger seat. A 1997 Honda Civic being operated by Victor Hugo-Martinez-21 of Georgetown was following close behind the Volkswagen. The Honda was also occupied by a front seat passenger identified as Jesus A. Diaz-19 and a 19 year old male rear seat passenger, both of Georgetown.

As both vehicles were traveling eastbound on County Seat Highway, Hugo-Martinez operating the Honda Civic passed the Volkswagen at a high rate of speed on at least two occasions, and then slammed on the brakes causing the 19 year old female operator of the Volkswagen to swerve and brake excessively in order to avoid striking the rear of the Honda.

The Volkswagen then attempted to turn left onto Asbury Road in order to avoid the reckless driving of Hugo-Martinez. As the Volkswagen was attempting the left turn, the Honda entered the westbound lane of County Seat Highway at a high rate of speed in an attempt to again recklessly pass, and struck the rear of the Volkswagen. After the violent impact, the Volkswagen spun in a clockwise direction and traveled off of the south side of the roadway, striking several trees. The Honda Civic rotated counterclockwise and traveled off of the north side of the roadway, with the passenger side striking a utility pole with such force that the Honda was nearly sheared into two pieces.

Jesus A. Diaz-19 front seat passenger of the Honda Civic was not properly restrained and suffered multiple traumatic injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The 19 year old rear seat passenger was not properly restrained and was transported to Nanticoke Hospital where he was treated and released with minor injuries.

The 19 year old female operator of the Volkswagen was properly restrained and transported to Nanticoke Hospital where she was treated and released with multiple injuries. The 21 year old male front seat passenger of the Volkswagen was properly restrained and transported to Nanticoke Hospital where he was treated and released with minor injuries.

Victor Hugo-Martinez-21 the operator of the Honda Civic was not properly restrained and was transported to the Nanticoke Hospital where he was treated and released with minor injuries into the custody of Troopers. After further investigation it was determined that he was driving under the influence of alcohol. He was charged with the above crimes and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $16,500 Cash Bond.

Further investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident determined that Hugo-Martinez was the former boyfriend of the 19 year old female operator of the Volkswagen, and both had been separately attending a dance party at an establishment in Salisbury, MD where he had seen the 19 year old female in the company of another male at the establishment. It was also determined that both vehicles left the Salisbury, MD establishment at the same time in apparent attempt on Hugo-Martinez’s behalf to follow the 19 year old female back into Delaware.

The roadway was shutdown in both directions for approximately four hours while the crash was investigated and cleared. The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash.