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Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley


Troopers Investigate Crash Involving DelDOT worker


Date Posted: Saturday, June 25th, 2016

Presented by the Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz

Newark, DE- Delaware State Police are investigating a hit and run motor vehicle crash in which a pedestrian was struck in Newark.

The preliminary investigation has determined the crash occurred on Friday, June 24, 2016, at approximately 6:45 p.m., as troopers were dispatched to the area of westbound Pulaski Highway west of Salem Church Road to investigate a hit and run collision where a pickup truck had run over a DelDOT worker’s foot. The DelDOT Worker, 45 of Bear, was not injured in this collision due to the fact he was wearing steel toed boots. The DelDOT worker was wearing his issued reflective vest while standing near his fully marked DelDOT vehicle with his emergency lights activated. DelDOT conducted a road block at this location to stop traffic from passing due to a New Castle County police related investigation.

Pulaski Highway was shut down at Salem Church Road with numerous traffic cones, DelDOT emergency vehicles with their overhead lights illuminated, as well as numerous DelDOT workers diverting traffic. It was at this time a gold colored 1997 Ford F-150 had disregarded the roadblock located at the intersection of DE. Rt. 40 westbound and Salem Church Road. The Ford F-150 drove over the concrete median separating eastbound Pulaski Highway from westbound Pulaski Highway. The Ford began making a U-turn to travel westbound on Pulaski Highway, which was inside of the blocked off area as numerous DelDOT workers were attempting to stop the Ford, but its driver ignored their commands.

The victim attempted to get the attention of the driver, who was later identified as Jorge Figueroa, 53 of Newark. The DelDOT worker was in the roadway attempting to flag down the Ford; the vehicle suddenly increased speed and began driving toward him. The victim tried to avoid being struck by the Ford, but the vehicle ran over his left foot.  The victim was not injured.

The driver Jorge Figueroa screamed obscenities as he struck the DelDOT worker. The Ford truck continued traveling westbound towards Becks Woods Drive.  At that point the Ford made another U-turn at Becks Woods Drive where it fled eastbound on Pulaski Highway.  A computer check revealed the vehicle was registered to Jorge Figueroa at an address of the unit block Sunny Bend, Newark, DE.  Troopers responded to the Sunny Bend address to make contact with the driver. A traffic stop was conducted on the suspect vehicle by activating the emergency lights in a fully marked state police patrol vehicle.

Jorge Figueroa, the driver, immediately exited the driver’s side door and began moving toward the trooper in an agitated state. As the trooper exited his vehicle, he gave numerous safety commands for Jorge Figueroa to stop and get back into his vehicle. Figueroa failed to comply and continued yelling obscenities at the troopers and began threatening gestures with his arms and hands and was disorderly refusing to follow lawful commands. Figueroa was eventually taken into custody.

During the arrest of the driver, his son Jorge L Figueroa 2nd, 27 of Wilmington, exited the passenger side of the truck and began aggressively walking towards the trooper yelling threats.  Due to this disorderly and threatening behavior, his son was also arrested for his actions that directly prevented an arrest on Figueroa Sr.

Both were transported back to Troop 2 for processing:

Jorge L. Figueroa (driver) was arrested for Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of a Collision, Disorderly Conduct, Failure to have Insurance, Failure to Obey Authorized Person Directing Traffic, Failure to Provide Information at Collision, Failure to obey a Traffic Device, Failed to Remain within a Single Lane, Driving Across a Median, Operation of Vehicle on Approach of Emergency Vehicles and Failure to Report Collision to Police. He was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court #11 where he was released after posting $1,458.00 secured bond. (photo attached)

Jorge L. Figueroa 2nd (son) was arrested for Terroristic Threatening, Resist Arrest and Disorderly Conduct. He was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court #2 where he was released on $1,500.00 unsecured bond. (photo attached)

Released: 062516 1931

-End-

 

Jorge L. Figueroa-Driver

Jorge L. Figueroa 2nd-Passenger

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