Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate a Wilmington area hit and run crash that occurred on July 2, 2023, after 43-year-old Lawrence Williams of Newark, Delaware, died on October 23, 2023, from injuries sustained in the crash.

The fleeing vehicle is an unknown white Nissan sedan (pictured below).

Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed this collision or has information about the fleeing vehicle to please contact Sergeant J. Jefferson by calling 302-365-8484. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

Delaware State Police arrested 64-year-old Graylon Nichols, of Seaford, for 6^th offense DUI and traffic-related charges yesterday afternoon.

On October 4, 2023, at approximately 2:48 p.m., troopers responded to the intersection of Sussex Highway and Chipmans Lane in Laurel, Delaware, for a reported hit-and-run crash. Upon arrival, troopers discovered that a black male, later identified as Graylon Nichols, had fled the scene in a Chevrolet Silverado with an undisclosed Delaware registration.

The crash investigation revealed that Nichols failed to maintain his lane while driving southbound on Sussex Highway, causing him to strike two road signs after exiting the east edge of the roadway near Chipmans Road. His vehicle then crashed into a Jeep Comanche in the median, which was preparing to cross northbound traffic on Sussex Highway. The driver of the Jeep Comanche, a 65-year-old woman from Laurel, Delaware, sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash.

While the crash was being investigated, a trooper patrolling the area of County Seat Highway and Concord Road observed the suspect vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on Concord Road. Upon contacting the driver, the trooper smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from within the vehicle and noticed that the driver was not wearing his seatbelt. The driver identified himself as Graylon Nichols and produced an identification card to confirm his name. The trooper also noticed signs of impairment while speaking with Nichols and attempted Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, but he refused. Nichols was taken into custody and transported to Troop 5. It was discovered through a computer check that Nichols had previously been convicted of DUI five times. Nichols was charged with the following crimes:

• 6^th offense DUI (Felony)
• Vehicular Assault Second
• Numerous traffic-related charges

Nichols was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $6,303 cash bond.

The Delaware State Police arrested 43-year-old Shane Pardoe of Medford, New Jersey, for driving under the influence and felony weapon offenses following a collision investigation that took place Friday night in Wilmington.

On September 8, 2023, at approximately 10:26 p.m., a trooper responded to I-95 northbound in the area of Marsh Road, Wilmington, for a single vehicle collision. Upon arriving, the trooper observed a black Dodge Ram with heavy front end damage disabled on the shoulder and contacted the driver, identified as Pardoe. The trooper discovered Pardoe was traveling in the left northbound lane of I-95 when he lost control of the truck on the wet roadway. The truck exited the roadway and struck the guardrail separating the northbound and southbound lanes of the highway. Prior to being towed for the disabling damage, an inventory search was completed on the truck, which led to the discovery of an unloaded rifle, a loaded handgun, and a handle of whiskey in the backseat of the truck. As the trooper was speaking with Pardoe, he observed signs of impairment and smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Pardoe’s breath. Field sobriety tests were administered, and Pardoe was taken into custody without incident.

A computer inquiry revealed Pardoe is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction. Pardoe was taken to Troop 1, where he was charged with the following crimes:

• Transport an Assault Weapon into the State (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm if Previously Convicted of a Violent Felony (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under the Influence
• Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence When Alcohol Concentration is 0.08 or More
• Fail to Drive at Speed Appropriate for Conditions

Pardoe was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $61,001 cash bond.

Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance with their investigation of a hit-and-run collision that occurred in Wilmington on July 2, 2023, that left one man critically injured.

On July 2, 2023, at approximately 1:19 a.m., a 43-year-old Newark man, was walking along the double yellow line for N. Market Street between E. 39th Street and E. 40th Street. An unknown white Nissan sedan was traveling northbound and struck the victim. The victim came to a rest in the southbound lane of N. Market Street and the Nissan continued northbound without stopping. The victim was transported to an area trauma hospital where he remains in critical condition.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed this collision or has information about the fleeing vehicle (pictured above) to please contact Sergeant J. Jefferson by calling 302-365-8484. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

Delaware State Police have arrested 27-year-old Brian Holben, of Greenwood, for DUI and other related offenses following a pursuit late last night.

On July 14, 2023, at approximately 11:56 p.m., a trooper was driving westbound on Adams Road in Greenwood when a Chevrolet Suburban, traveling in the opposite direction, crossed into the trooper’s lane of travel. To avoid a collision, the trooper swerved to the right and made a U-turn to follow the vehicle. The trooper, who was driving a marked Tahoe, turned on the emergency lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop. However, the driver, later identified as Brian Holben, ignored the trooper’s attempt to pull him over and turned south on Sussex Highway without signaling or stopping at the stop sign. The Suburban then made a U-turn and began traveling northbound on Sussex Highway at a high rate of speed. The Suburban continued northbound on Sussex Highway, swerving between the travel lanes and the roadway’s shoulder. It eventually turned right onto Marsh Branch Road and left onto Woodyard Road without signaling or stopping at the stop sign. The Suburban then turned right on Staytonville Road and left onto Memory Road, again without signaling or stopping at the stop sign. It finally entered a private driveway at the 9000 block of Memory Road and collided with agricultural wire fencing. Holben fled the vehicle and was apprehended a short distance away. While apprehending Holben, the trooper smelled an odor of alcohol coming from Holben’s breath and observed other signs of impairment. Drug paraphernalia was also discovered during a search of the Suburban.

Holben was transported to Troop 5, where he was charged with the following crimes:

• Criminal Mischief $5000 Or More Damage Property (Felony)
• Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia- 2 counts
• Criminal Trespass- 2 counts
• DUI and other traffic-related offenses

Holben was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court # 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $6500 secured bond.

On July 15, 2023, at approximately 8:02 a.m., troopers responded to Sussex Highway and All-Span Drive regarding a suspicious package. When troopers arrived on scene, they observed a safe containing the following items:

• Approximately 13.09 grams of methamphetamine
• Approximately 7.5 grams of crack
• 79 baggies containing approximately .553 grams of suspected heroin
• 6 Suboxone strips
• 5 Alprazolam pills
• Drug paraphernalia

A review of video footage revealed that Holben had thrown the safe from his vehicle during the pursuit on July 14, 2023. Holben, who is currently in Department of Correction’s custody (DOC), was charged with the following crimes:

• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)- 5 counts
• Possession of Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
• Tampering With Physical Evidence (Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia- 2 counts

He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court #3 and given a $14,700 unsecured bond. Holben remains in DOC custody.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Website

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Visit our civilian job opening page at:

Civilian Careers – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Leave a comment regarding DSP’s compliance with CALEA Accreditation Standards.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Sergeant India Sturgis

Released: 071523 1130

-End-

The Delaware State Police have arrested 50-year-old Francho Robinson of Bear, Delaware for Vehicular Assault, DUI, and other offenses after he drove through a closed accident scene, struck a parked State Police vehicle, and injured a trooper.

On March 12, 2023, at approximately 5:02 a.m., troopers responded to southbound Interstate 495 south of Philadelphia Pike in Wilmington for a collision. As a result of the collision, I-495 was closed to traffic by members of the State Police, DelDOT, and the Claymont Fire Company. Despite the highway being closed, a white Maserati began traveling through the scene, disregarding all emergency lights and traffic signals and continuing southbound on I-495. The driver of the Maserati, identified as Francho Robinson, then struck a fully-marked Delaware State Police Chevrolet Tahoe that had its emergency lights on to block traffic. After the collision, troopers contacted Robinson, who displayed signs of impairment. He was taken into custody at the scene without further incident.

A trooper was seated in the parked Tahoe at the time of the crash. He was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and was later released.

Robinson was taken to Troop 1 and charged with the following crimes:

• Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony)
• Vehicular Assault First Degree (Felony)
• Driving Under the Influence
• Numerous traffic charges

Robinson was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and was released after posting $12,400 secured bond.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Website

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Visit our civilian job opening page at:

Civilian Careers – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 031223  1656

-End-

The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian that occurred early this morning in Wilmington.

On March 12, 2023, at approximately 3:21 a.m., an unknown type of vehicle, possibly a silver or gray Honda, was traveling eastbound on Augustine Cut Off east of Rock Manor Avenue. At this time, the car exited the right side of the road and struck a road sign before returning to Augustine Cut Off and continuing eastbound. The car then struck a man who was walking on Augustine Cut Off east of Edgewood Road. The car fled from the area to an unknown destination and has yet to be located. The driver has also not been identified.

The pedestrian who was struck, a 79-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. Identification of the victim is pending notification to his family and relatives. No other vehicles were involved in this incident. The roadway was closed for approximately four hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Sergeant J. Jefferson by calling 302-365-8484. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Website

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Visit our civilian job opening page at:

Civilian Careers – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 031223  1614

-End-

The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run collision involving a motorcycle that occurred in New Castle last night.

On February 15, 2023, at approximately 9:41 p.m., a gray 2020 Kawasaki ZX-9R was traveling southbound on South Dupont Highway through a green light at the intersection with 2nd Avenue. At the same time, a blue 2021 Mazda CX-5 was traveling northbound on South Dupont Highway approaching the same intersection. The Mazda passed a car that was stopped at the red light in the left-turn lane and began to turn left onto 2nd Avenue through the red light. As a result, the front of the Kawasaki struck the right side of the Mazda in the intersection. The motorcyclist was ejected, and the Mazda came to a stop in the shoulder. The driver of the Mazda then fled the scene on foot and was last seen walking southbound on South Dupont Highway.

The motorcyclist, a 31-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Identification of the victim is pending notification to his family and relatives. The driver of the Mazda has not been identified or located.

The roadway was closed for approximately three hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal J. Forester by calling 302-365-8485. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Website

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Visit our civilian job opening page at:

Civilian Careers – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 021623  1154

-End-

The Delaware State Police are asking for the public’s help with identifying the driver who fled from troopers after he crashed a stolen car last night in Rehoboth Beach.

On February 13, 2023, at approximately 11:08 p.m., a trooper on patrol in Lewes observed a tan 2008 Chevrolet Malibu traveling southbound on Coastal Highway south of Dartmouth Drive. A computer check of the Malibu’s registration showed that the car had been reported as stolen out of Milford Police Department earlier that day. The trooper began following the car and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated into the parking lot of the Hampton Inn, located at 18826 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach. The Malibu collided with an unoccupied parked car, and three occupants fled from the stolen vehicle on foot. Patrol troopers and the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit began searching the surrounding areas and were able to find the two passengers hiding in a yard in the Maplewood development. The driver was not located and has not been identified.

Both passengers, identified as 17-year-old males from Ellendale, were taken to Troop 7 and charged with Resisting Arrest. After being arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, one teen was turned over to a legal guardian, and the other was committed to Stevenson House Detention Center on $1,000 secured bond.

The State Police have obtained these surveillance photographs of the driver. Troopers are asking anyone who can identify this suspect to contact Corporal K. Koff by calling 302-703-3347. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Website

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Visit our civilian job opening page at:

Civilian Careers – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 021423  1122

-End-

The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal accident involving a bicyclist that occurred yesterday evening in Rehoboth Beach.

On January 22, 2023, at approximately 7:23 p.m., a white 2013 Nissan Altima was traveling southbound on Coastal Highway approaching the intersection at Rehoboth Avenue Extension. At the same time, a bicyclist was traveling eastbound from the southbound shoulder of Coastal Highway into the southbound lanes of the road (from the right side of the road to the left side). For unknown reasons, the bicyclist entered the Nissan’s lane and the front of the Altima struck the left side of the bicyclist, causing the victim to leave his bicycle and land in the median. The driver of the Nissan fled the scene, but he and his car were located by responding troopers very shortly afterwards on nearby Martin Street.

The driver of the Altima, a 40-year-old man from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, was not injured. The bicyclist, a 54-year-old man from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Identification of the victim is pending notification to his family and relatives.

No other vehicles were involved in this collision. Possible charges against the Nissan driver are pending the results of the investigation. Coastal Highway was closed for approximately three hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal K. Argo by calling 302-703-3264. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Website

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Visit our civilian job opening page at:

Civilian Careers – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 012323  1026

-End-