Delaware State Police arrested 20-year-old Noah Howell of Seaford, Delaware, for multiple felony offenses after a domestic altercation ended in a pursuit early this morning in New Castle County.
On April 25, 2024, at approximately 11:39 p.m., troopers responded to a distress call from a woman on her way to Delaware State Police Troop 2, located at 100 Cpl/1 Stephen J. Ballard Way, Newark. The caller reported being pursued by her ex-boyfriend, Noah Howell. She also reported Howell struck her vehicle multiple times with his blue Hyundai Santa Fe on the way to Troop 2. Upon arriving at Troop 2’s parking lot, Howell struck the victim’s vehicle again with his Hyundai, before he climbed onto the hood of the victim’s car. Despite verbal commands from troopers, Howell got back into his vehicle and began accelerating when a trooper tried to stop him through the open driver’s side window. As a result, the trooper was thrown from the SUV. While attempting to flee, Howell’s SUV crashed into two vehicle barrier posts in front of Troop 2.
Following that, Howell fled from Troop 2’s parking lot, and entered the adjoining property of William Keene Elementary School, located at 200 Cpl/1 Stephen J. Ballard Way. Therein, Howell drove through a metal fence on the school’s property as he fled toward Pulaski Highway. In the ensuing pursuit, Howell committed numerous traffic violations, ultimately culminating in a collision with a Dart bus at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 72. Following the crash, Howell attempted to escape on foot but was quickly apprehended. While taking Howell into custody, troopers smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed multiple empty liquor bottles.
Howell was taken to an area hospital for a non-life-threatening injury sustained during the crash. The driver and sole occupant of the DART bus, and the victim, whose identity will not be disclosed, were not injured during the incident. Three troopers were injured during the incident. The troopers were treated and released from an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
After Howell was discharged from the hospital, he was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $32,700 cash bond.
- Criminal Mischief $5,000 or More (Felony)
- Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
- Resisting Arrest with Force of Violence (Felony)
- Reckless Endangering 2nd Degree – 6 counts
- Resisting Arrest
- Criminal Mischief $1,000 but less than $5,000 – 2 counts
- Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol
- Driving While Suspended or Revoked
- Aggressive Driving
- Additional Traffic Violations