Chester County, PA– Three men were killed after a Pennsylvania State Police chase ended in a crash in Chester County early Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, officials confirmed. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. in New Garden Township near East 3rd Street and Garner Drive.
Troopers from the Avondale Station attempted to initiate a traffic stop after observing multiple traffic violations. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop, prompting a high-speed pursuit that ultimately ended in a crash, leaving the three men inside the car dead.
The victims were identified as Devon Hargraves, 35, Gershad Andre, 33, and Larry Wilmer, 36, all from Wilmington, Delaware. No state troopers were injured during the incident.
Witness Accounts and Scene Details
NBC10 reported from the scene, where the fleeing vehicle was completely totaled in a field near a tree. A witness, Carl Coleman, captured video of the chase.
“They came around the bend flying. You can hear the screeching,” Coleman said, describing the moments leading up to the crash.
Families Demand Answers
Family members of the victims expressed grief and questions about the pursuit. Aaron Wilmer, cousin of Larry Wilmer, said his family wants to know why police continued to chase the three men for what began as traffic violations.
“Just devastating because nobody is expecting this,” Wilmer said. “By looking at the car, and just seeing the car being taken away. It was just dismantled. Just painful. Not just one, not two, but three families that’s being impacted by this situation.”
He added that Larry Wilmer was a father of six and was traveling with two close friends at the time of the crash.
Police Pursuit Trends in Chester County
NBC10 investigators report that Friday’s incident marked the first fatality in Chester County from a police chase since 2023.
According to data from the Pennsylvania State Police, Avondale troopers have engaged in 32 pursuits so far in 2025, averaging roughly one chase every 10 days. Statewide, police chases peaked in 2023 with nearly 3,000 incidents, though local numbers in Chester County have been trending downward since 2021.
Pursuit Policies and Public Safety
“A motorist who is engaged in traffic violations or in reckless driving may pose a significant risk to the public,” the spokesperson said. “Accordingly, it is the duty of law enforcement to enforce the law of the Commonwealth with the mission to protect the lives and safety of the public.”
Pursuit policies vary by department, and the Pennsylvania State Police have not publicly released their full protocol. However, a spokesperson stated that troopers are authorized to pursue any motorist who flees, including those committing traffic infractions, emphasizing the agency’s duty to protect public safety.
Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on police pursuit policies and public safety? Do you think high-speed chases for traffic violations should be reconsidered? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below.
