Deadly Road Rage Incident in Frankford Ends in Tragedy

An apparent road rage incident in Frankford, Delaware, took a deadly turn last month, resulting in one man’s death, another man’s serious injuries, and the arrest of a third individual on charges of murder and attempted murder. Jeremiah Handy, 38, is currently in custody, facing charges related to the fatal crash that claimed the life of 22-year-old Gabriel Dorman and left a 20-year-old friend of his severely injured.

According to the police report, the tragic incident occurred on November 24 when Handy allegedly struck the two victims, who were riding on a four-wheeler, with his SUV. The impact caused them to be thrown from the ATV, and Dorman was subsequently run over by another vehicle. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, Dorman succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while his friend underwent emergency surgery.

Handy was apprehended on Friday and is currently being held in prison.

Taunts and Provocations Leading up to the Fatal Crash

The tragic events of November 24 were preceded by several weeks of escalating tensions and confrontations between the parties involved. Court documents obtained by Delaware Online/The News Journal reveal that approximately two weeks prior to the fatal crash, Dorman and his girlfriend had a heated encounter with Handy during a road rage incident. Following the incident, the girlfriend reportedly followed Handy’s car to his residence located in the 30200 block of Frankford School Road.

In the following weeks, the girlfriend and Dorman allegedly continued to drive by Handy’s home, engaging in provocative acts such as lighting firecrackers in front of the house and performing a “burn-out” while the occupants were outside. The girlfriend also claimed that Dorman had accused Handy of brandishing a firearm, although she did not witness the incident herself. The validity of this accusation remains unconfirmed.

The Fateful Night of November 24

In the early hours of November 24, Delaware State Police received a distress call from a woman residing at Handy’s home. She reported that the house had been shot at. However, subsequent investigation and surveillance footage revealed a different sequence of events.

According to police findings, Dorman and his friend were riding the ATV when they threw a rock at Handy’s residence. The house was not shot, as initially reported. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they discovered the two victims on the ground. Dorman was tragically pronounced dead, while his injured friend was swiftly transported to a local hospital.

Conflicting Accounts and Subsequent Investigations

During interviews with the woman residing at Handy’s home and Handy himself, both provided similar accounts of the events leading up to the fatal crash. They claimed that the house had been struck by what they believed to be bullets, prompting Handy to pursue Dorman and his friend in his Mercedes. However, video evidence obtained by the police contradicted this narrative.

The footage showed Handy accelerating and colliding with the ATV at a high speed. The four-wheeler became lodged in the front of Handy’s SUV, corroborating the video evidence. Police also discovered a live bullet on the road and a spent shell casing in Handy’s Mercedes. While Handy denied any knowledge of the bullet or casing, a subsequent search of his residence yielded a firearm and ammunition.

A Tragic Turn of Events

Simultaneously, another individual received a distress call from the woman at Handy’s residence, informing him of a break-in. He promptly dialed 911 and rushed to the scene in his Jeep. However, by the time he arrived, Dorman and his friend had already been ejected from the ATV. Tragically, the man inadvertently ran over Dorman’s body while driving towards the house. The 911 audio later confirmed his account.

A neighbor who was awakened by a gunshot also witnessed the aftermath of the incident. She and her husband observed the young men lying in the road, with the ATV lodged in Handy’s Mercedes. The neighbor reported seeing Handy, who appeared excited, walking past the Mercedes and claiming to have “got ’em,” referring to Dorman and his friend. Handy attempted to start the Mercedes but eventually abandoned it and returned to his residence when it failed to start.

Investigation and Charges

Following an autopsy, a Delaware medical examiner ruled Dorman’s cause of death as a homicide. The head injuries sustained by Dorman were deemed potentially fatal and likely occurred upon initial impact with the ground. Further injuries on his torso could have resulted from being run over.

Jeremiah Handy is currently detained at Sussex Correctional Institution on an $850,000 cash bond, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and weapons offenses.

For any tips or information related to this case, please contact Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2785. Stay updated on breaking news by following her on Twitter at @izzihughes.