DSP News Release:  Texting Alleged Cause of Traffic Crash

Location: 

• Woodland Ferry Road and Bethel-Concord Road Seaford, DE

DATE and TIME:  

• Wednesday April 20, 2011 2:15 p.m.

Victim(s):

• William Davis-23  Delmar, De
• Keisha Davis-20 Delmar, De

Defendant(s) Charge(s) and Bond Information:

• Jeffrey L. Downes-25 Laurel, De

·         2 counts Vehicular Assault Second Degree (Misdemeanor)

·         Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of Drugs

·         2 counts Failure to Drive in Proper Lane and direction

·         Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign

·         Committed Sussex Correctional Institute $3,300.00 secured bond

Resume:

Seaford-Delaware State Police have charged Jeffrey L. Downes-25 of Laurel Delaware with Vehicular Assault and 4 traffic related offenses following a Wednesday afternoon crash. 

State Police responded to the personal injury crash around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday April 20^th involving two vehicles.  The first vehicle a 2000 Ford Mustang driven by William M. Davis-23 of Delmar Delaware was stopped at intersection of Woodland Ferry Road and Bethel Concord Road E/O Bethel for a stop sign.  The second vehicle a 2006 Honda Pilot driven by Jeffrey L. Downes was southbound on Woodland Ferry Road approaching the Ford Mustang from behind. 

Downes failed to slow his vehicle as he approached Davis’ Mustang and crashed into its rear.  Witness information obtained at the crash scene reported Downes also had crashed into a Verizon phone box on Woodland Ferry Road prior to striking the Mustang. 

William (Operator) and Keisha Davis (passenger) both sustained non-life threatening injuries and were treated then released from Nanticoke Hospital.  The Davis’ 3 year old son, who was securely fastened in his child safety seat, was unharmed. 

Downes who is alleged to have been texting while driving was charged with 2 counts of Vehicular Assault, Driving under the Influence of Drugs, and 2 counts of Failure to Drive in the Proper lane and Direction.  A quantity of Oxycodone pills were located thrown about the inside of Downes car.  Downes was arraigned then committed to Sussex Correctional Institute on $3,300 secured bond.