State Police Arrest Magnolia Man for Vehicular Assault Following Three-Vehicle Crash in Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach, DE - Delaware State Police have arrested a 22-year-old Magnolia man on multiple charges following a three-vehicle crash that left one person seriously injured in Bethany Beach, Delaware.

Benjamin Herrera was charged with vehicular assault, DUI, and other offenses from an incident that occurred on October 2, 2025. Troopers responded to the crash on Coastal Highway near Beach Cove Square at approximately 7:55 p.m.

When officers arrived at the scene, they made contact with Herrera, who was identified as the driver of a Dodge Challenger involved in the collision. Troopers detected the odor of alcohol on his breath and observed multiple signs of impairment during their interaction with him.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Herrera's Challenger was traveling southbound on Coastal Highway in a reckless manner at a high rate of speed. A Nissan Frontier was also traveling southbound in the left lane ahead of the Challenger.

A Chevrolet Colorado was traveling in the right lane, also ahead of the Challenger.

The Challenger struck the Nissan, forcing it into the right lane where it subsequently collided with the Chevrolet. The impact caused the Chevrolet to overturn.

The driver of the Chevrolet, a 59-year-old New Castle man, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The driver of the Nissan, a 44-year-old Ocean View man, and his 7-year-old passenger both refused medical transport.

Coastal Highway southbound remained closed while investigators processed the scene and crews cleared the wreckage.

Herrera suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

During ambulance transport, he threatened a paramedic and an EMT. After his release from the hospital, officers arrested him and transported him to Troop 4.

Herrera was charged with vehicular assault in the first degree, vehicular assault in the second degree, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, three counts of reckless endangering in the second degree, two counts of terroristic threatening, reckless driving, and failure to have insurance identification in possession.

He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $6,300 cash bond.

Investigators are requesting assistance from the public regarding this incident. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Trooper K. Lieber at DSP Troop 4 by calling (302) 856-5850.

Information may also be provided through a private Facebook message to Delaware State Police or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.