DELWARE STATE POLICE

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty



State Police Arrest Motorcyclist for 6th Offense DUI, Drug Charges After Laurel Crash

Date Posted: Saturday, April 4th, 2026



Graphic titled “News Release Sussex County” featuring a Delaware State Police Chevrolet Tahoe parked with the World War II watch tower in the background at Cape Henlopen State Park. A silhouette map of Delaware appears on the left with Sussex County highlighted in blue, the text “BecomeATrooper.com” on the bottom center, and social media icons are shown at the bottom right corner.

The Delaware State Police arrested 60-year-old Wade Bowersox, of Bethel, Delaware, on felony driving under the influence and drug charges following a crash Friday night in Laurel.

On April 3, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m., troopers responded to the parking lot of Tacos Chabelita, located at 30661 Sussex Highway in Laurel, for a reported collision. The preliminary investigation revealed a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, operated by Bowersox, struck the passenger side of a parked Ford Explorer. Following the crash, Bowersox picked up the motorcycle and moved it to the rear of the business before entering the restaurant and taking a seat inside.

Troopers located Bowersox inside the establishment and observed signs of impairment. As troopers escorted him outside, he attempted to conceal a small bag of suspected cocaine in one of the motorcycle’s saddlebags. Troopers arrested him without incident.

A subsequent search of the motorcycle led to the discovery of:

  • Approximately 1.68 grams of suspected cocaine
  • A digital scale
  • Additional alcoholic beverages

Further investigation revealed Bowersox has five prior DUI-related convictions and a suspended driver’s license.

Bowersox was taken to Troop 5 where troopers obtained a search warrant for his blood. He was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $30,602 cash bond.

Image of Wade Bowersox

  • 6th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Driving While Suspended
  • Related Traffic Offenses

Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.


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