PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A New Castle woman is in custody after she carjacked not one but two vehicles and was involved in several crashes — one of which killed a pedestrian, according to the Delaware State Police.
It all started Sunday morning around 9:30 on Route 9, just south of I-495.
Investigators say 30-year-old Brittalia Semaan climbed into a Chevrolet Trax and drove off. A 67-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman tried to stop her from entering their car but were unsuccessful. Two juveniles were also in the car.
The 66-year-old woman was hit as Semaan drove off but she is physically OK.
Shortly after fleeing, police say she hit a 48-year-old man, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers say she also hit a third pedestrian — swerving into her path in a parking lot. She reportedly has non-life-threatening injuries.
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Then, police say Semaan left that scene, crossed a double yellow line, and got involved in another crash, this time head-on. A 34-year-old man and 26-year-old woman had minor injures.
Master Cpl. Heather Pepper said a 62-year-old good Samaritan went over to provide aid to the pair — and Semaan carjacked his Ford Explorer, taking off with a 77-year-old woman in the passenger seat. The 62-year-old was dragged a short distance.
“You have somebody that is injured and you’re thinking you’re helping, and you’re not thinking that somebody is going to steal my car,” said Pepper.
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Semaan ultimately crashed again, hitting the back of a Honda Odyssey.
An off-duty police officer and a former law enforcement officer, who witnessed the second carjacking, were able to apprehend Semaan until troopers got to the scene.
It's unclear what lead up to these events, which are under investigation.