By Craig Anderson

Solving them at this point might be a long shot, but efforts aren’t quite hopeless either.

Delaware State Police are seeking the public’s help in investigating six fatal hit-and-run cases that remain open but are lacking leads to follow.

The idea to ask Delawareans now was the product of a brainstorming session among DSP’s Traffic Section “on ideas that may create new leads for cold cases,” spokeswoman Master Cpl. Heather Pepper said.

She described the rate of success as low for locating persons of interest, “however, we are optimistic that someone out there may have information and would come forward.”

The definition of a cold case, Cpl. Pepper said, is one “that has exhausted all investigative leads and is listed as pending.” The DSP Homicide Unit, at times, also requests the public’s help on these types of incidents.

The current cases referenced occurred between 2017-21 in Kent, Sussex and New Castle counties.

“We only researched the unsolved cases within the past five years, in accordance with the statute of limitations,” Cpl. Pepper said.

And with every passing day, the chance of receiving more information drops.

“As time elapses, these cases become more difficult, as evidence would be harder to gather (vehicles get repaired, etc.),” the spokeswoman said.

DSP released recaps of the ongoing cases:

• Wilmington, Sept. 8, 2021 — At approximately 4:14 a.m., troopers received a report of a pedestrian in the northbound lane of Del. 100, near the intersection with Taft Avenue. An investigation determined that an unknown vehicle was traveling north in the right lane of Del. 100 when it struck the pedestrian. The vehicle continued traveling north toward the intersection of Del. 100 and Faulkland Road.

The victim, identified as Jason Gooden, 34, of Wilmington, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Troopers request anyone who witnessed this collision, resides in the area who may have surveillance footage or has any suspect vehicle information to contact Master Cpl. Breen at 302-365-8486 or john.breen@delaware.gov.

• Georgetown, Nov. 5, 2020 — This incident occurred at approximately 6:34 a.m., when a vehicle traveling east on County Seat Highway, just west of Old Furnace Road, was approaching a slight curve. A pedestrian, Jamal L. Woodlin, 49, of Lincoln, was walking east on the shoulder of the road. The vehicle failed to negotiate the curve and drove onto the shoulder, striking Mr. Woodlin with its right front. He was thrown down an embankment, landing in a shallow ditch. The vehicle did not stop following the collision.

Through an investigation, police determined that a possible vehicle involved may be a white Ford E-Series van with damage to its right front.

Anyone with information on this crash can contact Sgt. N. DeMalto at 302-703-3269.

• Newark, Aug. 11, 2020 — This crash occurred at approximately 1:06 a.m., when an unknown vehicle was traveling east on Ogletown Stanton Road, east of Churchmans Road. Aleesha Lingafelt, 27, of New Castle, was walking in the right lane of eastbound Ogletown Stanton Road and was struck. The vehicle did not stop after the collision.

Ms. Lingafelt was transported by emergency medical services to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Troopers investigating this crash have determined that the striking vehicle is red and would have noticeable front-end damage.

Anyone with information can contact Detective Calio at Troop 2, 302-365-8483.

• Georgetown, Dec. 23, 2019 — This crash occurred at approximately 8:11 p.m., when an unknown vehicle was traveling west on Zoar Road, west of Fieldwood Drive, and struck Katrina M. Hudson, 44, of Millsboro, who was walking in the westbound lane of Zoar Road.

The suspect vehicle continued traveling west on Zoar Road and fled the scene in an unknown direction. Ms. Hudson was pronounced deceased at the site of the collision.

Anyone with information on this incident can call Sgt. N. DeMalto at 302-703-3269.

• Wilmington, Dec. 24, 2018 — At approximately 9:02 p.m., DSP said, two pedestrians were walking north on Del. 141 in the right-turn lane for Del. 48. An unknown vehicle traveling in that lane struck both pedestrians from behind, approximately 400 feet south of the intersection with Del. 48.

One pedestrian, a 37-year-old Wilmington man, was thrown into a ditch on the east side of the road. He was evaluated by EMS on scene and refused medical treatment.

The second pedestrian, Bryan K. Lott, 32, of Philadelphia, was thrown into the road where he came to rest in the right through lane of Del. 141 north. He was transported to the ChristianaCare, Newark, where he was pronounced deceased.

Early into the investigation, the fleeing vehicle could only be described as being dark gray in color and most likely missing the passenger-side mirror. Detectives now believe the vehicle may be a GMC or Chevrolet SUV or pickup between the years 1998 and 2005. It could still be missing the mirror and may also be missing a license plate ornament.

Anyone with information can contact Master Cpl. Breen at 302-365-8486 or john.breen@delaware.gov.

• Dover, May 4, 2017 — This collision occurred around 11:48 p.m., as an unknown driver operating a dark vehicle southbound on McKee Road approached Kevin S. Freese, 52, of Dover, who was riding a bike in the same direction. The vehicle approached the bicycle from the rear and struck its rear tire, which caused the victim to be ejected and come to rest on the grassy shoulder. The sedan fled the scene in a southern direction.

Mr. Freese, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to the Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus’ emergency room, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators located a piece of hood molding and matched the part number to a GMC Envoy between the years of 2002-09. Witnesses on the scene described the vehicle as a small, dark-colored SUV, which matches the part recovered.

Anyone with information can call Sgt. J. Wheatley at 302-698-8518.

Rather than contacting investigating troopers by phone in any of the cases, the public can also reach out to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.