Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

State Police Arrest Lewes Man for Sixth Offense DUI Following Crash Investigation

Date Posted: Friday, February 28th, 2025

Delaware State Police arrested 37-year-old Thomas Clendaniel of Lewes, Delaware, for his sixth offense DUI and multiple other traffic-related charges following a crash investigation on Wednesday evening.

On February 26, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m., troopers responded to a reported motor vehicle crash on Hudson Road near Lewes Georgetown Highway in Milton. When troopers arrived, they learned the driver of a Chevrolet S10, later identified as Thomas Clendaniel, had fled the scene on foot. Witnesses provided a description of his clothing, and troopers began searching the area.

A short time later, Clendaniel was located walking eastbound on the shoulder of Lewes Georgetown Highway, wearing the same clothing described by witnesses. Upon making contact, troopers smelled an odor of alcoholic beverages coming from Clendaniel and observed multiple signs of impairment. When troopers attempted to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Clendaniel refused. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 7, where a legal blood draw for DUI was conducted. A computer search revealed Clendaniel has five prior DUI convictions and was driving on a suspended/revoked license at the time of the crash.

A preliminary investigation of the crash revealed that Clendaniel was driving southbound on Hudson Road in the Chevrolet S10, approaching Lewes Georgetown Highway. A Nissan Sentra was also traveling southbound in front of Clendaniel when a 57-year-old woman from Saint Michaels, Maryland, slowed down to turn into a residential driveway. Clendaniel failed to stop and rear-ended the Nissan, causing minor injuries to the woman and her two passengers. All three occupants were taken to an area hospital for minor injuries.

Clendaniel was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $13,500 secured bond.