Delaware Officials Underscore Urgency Regarding Health Equity in Outcomes Related to Substance Use Disorder

Staff Writer September 20, 2023Headlines

DOVER – Tuesday, leaders from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) joined partner community agencies for a community response briefing to provide the latest information regarding the state’s efforts to address disparities in outcomes related to Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder for minority and vulnerable populations. Organized by the DHSS […]

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Wilmington approves ambulance fee increases as Fire Department prepares to resume EMS
Wilmington City Council has approved an ordinance that significantly raises ambulance fees in Wilmington as the city prepares to take over emergency medical services from St. Francis Hospital. READ: Mayor Carney outlines his $200 M budget at latest Town Hall meeting Ordinance 25-012 passed unanimously among council members present at the May 1 meeting, with 10 votes in favor and three members absent. It updates Section 10-1 of the city code, revising charges for ambulance and related services provided by the Wilmington Fire Department. Council Member Zanthia Oliver Bracey presented the legislation on behalf of Council Member Shane’ Darby. “This ordinance is being presented by the administration for council’s review and approval,” Bracey said, explaining that the changes will “increase the rates for basic ambulance service and administration of oxygen, delete the cervical collar rate, and add a loaded mile rate.” The update is in response to the impending departure of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic’s St. Francis Hospital from EMS service provision. St. Francis has long served as the city’s primary emergency responder, but has informed city officials that it will stop offering EMS to Wilmington residents by June 30, 2025, the end of the current fiscal year. With that change pending, the city has determined that the Wilmington Fire Department will assume responsibility for EMS operations, an overhaul of the fee structure, which hasn’t been changed since 1994. Under the revised code: The basic ambulance service fee will increase from $135 to $1,000. The administration of oxygen will rise from $20 to $30. The previously listed $20 charge for a cervical collar will be replaced with a new $25 per loaded mile rate for patient transport. The updated fees will apply when services are provided to individuals who are insured through private insurers, Medicare, or Medicaid. According to a fiscal impact statement included in the ordinance, the city estimates it will generate approximately $2.6 million in medical insurance fee revenue during the 2026 fiscal year as a result of the changes. The ordinance takes effect immediately upon approval by the mayor.
Arrest made, more info released in U-Haul driver hitting pedestrians in Newark case
A 24-year-old University of Delaware graduate student was killed and another seriously injured after a stolen U-Haul van driven by a man crashed on East Main Street Tuesday afternoon. Police announced Wednesday afternoon that Gordon Turner, 22, of New Castle, was arrested following the incident, which began shortly before 4:30 p.m. on April 29. Officers had been searching for a U-Haul van reported as an unauthorized vehicle that was due back in March. RELATED: 1 dead, several injured after U-Haul crashes into pedestrians in Newark The van was found unoccupied in a shopping center on the 200 block of East Main Street. When Turner and a passenger returned to the vehicle, police moved in. Turner reportedly fled by driving over a curb, striking a police cruiser, and speeding onto East Main Street. Officers did not pursue the van. Moments later, Turner lost control of the vehicle near Haines Street, striking two pedestrians on the sidewalk. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim, also a 24-year-old graduate student, was hospitalized in serious condition but is now stable. The crash triggered a chain reaction involving several parked vehicles and additional injuries. A third pedestrian was hurt when a parked vehicle, struck during the crash, was pushed into them. Turner was taken to a hospital, then released into police custody. A passenger in the van was also detained but has not been charged. A search of the van revealed a handgun and marijuana exceeding the legal possession limit. Turner faces multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and fleeing police. He is also wanted by authorities in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. After arraignment, he was held at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $305,500 cash bond. East Main Street remained closed for about five hours as investigators examined the scene with assistance from multiple agencies. Police are asking anyone with video footage of the crash or additional information to contact Cpl. Jon Lee at (302) 366-7100 ext. 3462 or [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the department’s tip line. Statement from University of Delaware leadership on U-Haul death “Dear UD Community, Since last evening’s crash on Main Street that took the life of a University of Delaware graduate student (whose identity is being withheld at this time) and injured several others, we have been struggling to cope with the pain of this senseless tragedy. Throughout the UD community, we are all feeling the deep ache of loss, and we will continue to work through our grief together. Today, Newark Police announced an arrest in connection with the crash, reiterating that there is no ongoing threat to the community. Main Street is where we eat, shop and share our lives with our friends, families and classmates. Because it is part of the state’s roadway systems, we have been working with local and state officials this year, including our partners at Delaware Department of Transportation, to address traffic safety on and around Main Street. In the wake of this tragedy, we will reinforce and accelerate those efforts. We recognize there isn’t a simple solution, particularly when these tragedies involve actions taken by individuals that may not be stopped by changes to roadways or infrastructure. However, this incident underscores that our collective efforts must take on renewed urgency. University leaders joined Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and Newark Mayor Travis McDermott today for a press conference, at which we expressed our shared commitment to enhanced safety along Main Street. The University has pledged to continue these discussions through meetings with the offices of AG Jennings and Mayor McDermott, in addition to DelDOT, in the near future. The University remains committed to advancing meaningful solutions, while the University’s Division of Student Life and Graduate College are connecting with students about effective advocacy, civic engagement and partnerships in order to support these efforts. We are also aware that members of the UD community may have witnessed the crash and its aftermath or have close relationships with the victims. We encourage everyone to become familiar with and use, as needed, the available University counseling and support resources that were shared in Tuesday evening’s message to the UD community. Counseling services are available at Warner Hall and through TimelyCare anytime, 24/7. Students with physical injuries or medical concerns relating to the incident can contact Student Health Services at 302-831-2226, Option 0, or visit Laurel Hall to meet with triage nurses available until 5 p.m. After hours, students can contact the Highmark Nurse line at 888-258-3428 or visit local urgent care centers (Newark Urgent Care at 324 E. Main Street, or ChristianaCare GoHealth at 550 S. College Avenue, Suite 115). During this difficult time in our community, we all need to continue supporting and standing by one another as we move forward together. Sincerely, Dennis Assanis, President Laura Carlson, Provost José-Luis Riera, Vice President for Student Life”
1 dead, several injured after U-Haul crashes into pedestrians in Newark
NEWARK — A high-speed crash involving a stolen U-Haul truck left one person dead and several others injured Monday evening in downtown Newark. The incident began around 4:30 p.m. when Newark Police located a U-Haul vehicle reported as unauthorized after it was not returned on its scheduled due date of March 18. The truck, occupied by two individuals, was found in a parking lot in the 200 block of East Main Street. As officers moved in to arrest the suspects, the vehicle sped off, striking a marked police car in the process. Police say they did not pursue the vehicle, which exited the lot at a high speed. Just minutes later, around 4:35 p.m., the truck was traveling westbound on East Main Street when it struck two pedestrians standing beside a parked car. The vehicle continued on, hitting multiple parked cars before becoming disabled farther down the road. First responders arrived quickly to render aid. One pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts. READ: Delawareans: participate in nation’s largest one-day food drive May 10 A second victim sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Their identities have not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. The driver of the U-Haul also sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital. Both the driver and passenger were detained by police at the scene. According to Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company, three additional people were transported to a nearby emergency room with non-life-threatening injuries, while three others were treated on site and declined further medical care. The Newark Police Department’s Traffic Unit is investigating the crash. East Main Street remains closed near South Chapel Street, and authorities expect the closure to continue for several hours. Police emphasized that this appears to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public. Further details will be released as the investigation continues. “Just before 5 p.m. today, University leadership was made aware of a serious incident on Main Street, east of Academy Street,” University of Delaware stated in social media posts. “There is no ongoing danger to the campus community, though East Main Street is closed starting at South Chapel Street. More information will be shared if and when it is appropriate to do so. Please avoid the area and follow all instructions from the police.” At 10:07 p.m. Tuesday night, Newark Police notified the public that road closures were lifted.

Delaware Officials Underscore Urgency Regarding Health Equity in Outcomes Related to Substance Use Disorder

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