A Delaware bartender has been charged after investigators determined she overserved alcohol to a woman later involved in a fatal two-car crash.
Nia Jones, 30, of Bear, a bartender at Emmaculate Sports Bar, was arrested on January 14, 2026, and charged with serving alcohol to an intoxicated person.
Last year, Delaware State Police arrested Ashley Wright of Dover for vehicular homicide and related traffic charges after a fatal two-vehicle crash.
On November 15, 2025, at approximately 1 a.m., police reported that a Kenworth tractor-trailer was traveling southbound in the left middle lane of North DuPont Highway near Christiana Road. A Lexus ES 350 approached from behind and, according to the initial investigation, failed to slow down, striking the left rear of the trailer. The Lexus then spun, crossed a raised concrete median, and hit a traffic sign.
The Lexus passenger, a 36-year-old woman from New Castle, was ejected during the crash and pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Lexus, Wright, was taken to an area hospital by ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries. At the time of the crash, police said Wright showed signs of impairment.
Officials stated that surveillance video obtained after the crash showed Wright at Emmaculate Sports Bar, visibly intoxicated while being served alcoholic drinks by Jones.
Jones was arrested and later released on her own recognizance. The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement also filed liquor license violations against Emmaculate Sports Bar.
