A Delaware bartender was charged after investigators linked her to a fatal crash that claimed a life and left a woman injured. The incident unfolded when a woman served at Emmaculate Sports Bar drove a Lexus into a tractor-trailer on North DuPont Highway. Authorities say the bartender overserved the driver, who was already intoxicated.
At a Glance
- Nia Jones, 30, of Bear, was arrested for serving alcohol to an intoxicated person.
- The crash involved a Kenworth tractor-trailer and a Lexus ES 350 on North DuPont Highway near Christiana Road.
- A 36-year-old passenger was killed, and the driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Why it matters:
The case illustrates how alcohol service can directly contribute to deadly traffic incidents.
The Crash
On November 15, 2025, at about 1 a.m., police reported a Kenworth tractor-trailer traveling southbound in the left middle lane of North DuPont Highway near Christiana Road. A Lexus ES 350 approached from behind and failed to slow, striking the left rear of the trailer. The Lexus spun, crossed a raised concrete median, and hit a traffic sign.
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| November 15, 2025 | 1 a.m. | Kenworth tractor-trailer hit by Lexus, fatal crash |
| January 14, 2026 | N/A | Bartender Nia Jones arrested |
The passenger, a 36-year-old woman from New Castle, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Ashley Wright, was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. At the time of the crash, police said Wright showed signs of impairment.
The Bartender Charge
Nia Jones, 30, of Bear, works as a bartender at Emmaculate Sports Bar. On January 14, 2026, she was arrested and charged with serving alcohol to an intoxicated person. Surveillance video obtained after the crash showed Wright visibly intoxicated while being served drinks by Jones. Jones was released on her own recognizance. The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement filed liquor-license violations against Emmaculate Sports Bar.
Legal Consequences
The bartender’s arrest adds to the legal fallout from the crash. The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement’s action against the bar could lead to suspension or revocation of its liquor license. Meanwhile, the driver faces vehicular homicide and related traffic charges, having already been arrested in a separate incident the previous year.
Background: Ashley Wright Case
Last year, Delaware State Police arrested Ashley Wright of Dover for vehicular homicide and related traffic charges after a fatal two-vehicle crash. The 2025 crash was the most recent incident linking Wright to a death. Authorities are investigating whether Wright’s earlier arrest and the 2026 crash are connected through a pattern of impaired driving.
Investigation and Evidence
Officials said surveillance video linked Wright to Emmaculate Sports Bar on the night of the crash. The video shows Wright drinking multiple alcoholic beverages before driving. Police also collected data from the truck’s and car’s event-data recorders, which confirm the collision sequence. The investigation is ongoing, with investigators reviewing all evidence to determine causation and liability.
Key Takeaways
- Nia Jones was charged for overserving an intoxicated driver who caused a fatal crash.
- The crash involved a tractor-trailer and a Lexus, resulting in a death and injuries.
- The incident connects alcohol service to impaired driving and road safety.
- Legal actions include a bartender arrest, bar license violations, and ongoing investigations into the driver’s conduct.
An investigation is underway after a person was killed in a crash near the Wilmington Airport in New Castle, Delaware. News Of Philadelphia‘s Neil Fischer has the details.
