Marina Vasconcelos Maryland Obituary – Marina Vasconcelos, a 24-year-old graduate student at the University of Delaware, tragically lost her life on April 29, 2025, in a devastating crash on East Main Street in Newark, Delaware.
The incident occurred when a stolen U-Haul van, driven by 22-year-old Gordon Turner of New Castle, Delaware, sped through the area, striking Vasconcelos and another pedestrian before colliding with multiple parked vehicles. Vasconcelos was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other victim sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized in stable condition.
Originally from the Northeast, Maryland, Vasconcelos was in her third year of a Ph.D. program in biochemistry at the University of Delaware. Her research focused on characterizing the O-GlcNAcylation modification on NOD2, a project with implications for understanding Crohn’s disease. She had previously earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, with minors in biology and Spanish, from York College of Pennsylvania in 2022.
The crash unfolded when Newark police located an unreturned U-Haul van in a shopping center on East Main Street. As officers attempted to apprehend Turner and a passenger, Turner fled in the van, striking a police vehicle and accelerating onto East Main Street. He lost control near Haines Street, resulting in the fatal collision.
Turner, who was wanted in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, faces multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and first-degree assault. He is currently held on a $305,500 cash bond.
The University of Delaware community mourns the loss of Vasconcelos, remembering her as a dedicated researcher and compassionate individual. A memorial has been established at the crash site, with students and faculty paying tribute to her life and advocating for enhanced pedestrian safety measures on campus.
