Michael R. Gropp, 16, of Newark, Delaware was walking along Route 273 with his girlfriend shortly before 10:00. They were crossing the roadway at the intersection of Brownleaf Road when Gropp was struck by what has been described only as a dark colored sedan.
The impact of the crash knocked Gropp from his flip-flops and Kansas City Royals baseball cap. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary reports indicate that two vehicles, travelling eastbound, were street racing on Route 273. The vehicles ran a red light at Brownleaf Road, the street where the teen was struck.
After the crash, the vehicles involved fled the scene.
Maddie Lafferty, Gropp's 14-year-old girlfriend, witnessed the speeding cars that narrowly missed her. She led the sorrowful procession on Wednesday back to the crime scene to lay flowers.
"All I remember was walking across the street and seeing a dark car with blue headlights," Lafferty said.
State Police say they have a witness who saw the street racers roar past just before Gropp was killed.
"She said those cars just came flying past her; she even lost sight of them at a point. As she comes around and nears [the] intersection, she sees those two cars go through the intersection then she comes up on it and finds a body laying in the roadway," Cpl. Jeffrey Whitmarsh of the Delaware State Police said.
Michael's friends are shaken up over his tragic death.
"He didn't deserve this to happen this to him, ever. He was a great guy; I really hope they catch the people that did this," friend Amanda Kamai said.
"Michael was the kind of kid who when you met him, you instantly liked him. He just had that aura about him," friend Keviin Meinhaldt said.
Family and friends gathered around Jennifer Gropp, Michael's mother, today, trying to help her cope with this devastating loss.
"He's a good kid and a lot of people are hurting and he was my only child, 16 years old, and now he's gone, no future," Jennifer said.
Neighbors say the stretch of highway around the accident scene is treacherous and is used by nighttime drag racers and chronic speeders.
There is very little information known about these two cars. The striking vehicle should have front-end damage. The other may be a Ford Mustang.
"I just want them to turn themselves in; what they did was wrong. My son didn't even have a chance and all he was trying to do was make sure his friends were safe," Jennifer said.
Anyone with information pertaining to these vehicles is asked to call 302-834-2620 ext. 286.
