Trial for Millsboro Man Charged in Fatal Christmas Eve Crash Begins
The trial of Jason Wilcox, 48, accused of causing a crash that killed three people, including a 9-year-old girl, commenced on Oct. 28 at Delaware Superior Court in Georgetown.
Wilcox faces three counts of manslaughter, four counts of first-degree assault, and several other charges, including speeding and leaving the scene of a collision. He has pleaded not guilty and opted for a trial instead of accepting a plea deal.
According to Deputy Attorney General Angelica Endres, Wilcox was driving a stolen 2016 Range Rover at 79 mph when he collided with a 2008 Honda Odyssey at Route 9 and Minos Conaway Road on Dec. 24, 2022. Witnesses reported that Wilcox did not brake upon approaching the intersection, which lacked a traffic signal. After the crash, he allegedly fled the scene on foot.
Defense attorney Michael Abram contended that the accident occurred because the Odyssey's driver, Jason Wright, pulled out into the roadway improperly.
Key testimony came from survivors Huss and Wright, who described the impact as feeling like “a train hit us.” Gerald Huss, 74, and Jovie Wright, 9, were ejected from the vehicle and subsequently died. The remaining passengers sustained injuries and reported ongoing psychological trauma.
Corporal Kathleen Koff of the Delaware State Police testified about the chaotic scene, stating it was one of the worst collisions she had attended. Following the incident, authorities tracked Wilcox to his residence, where he was arrested.
Wilcox had previously pleaded guilty to unrelated charges in October 2023.