The Delaware State Police have identified the man who died in a motor vehicle collision involving a school bus on January 23, 2023, in Laurel as Taylor Maurer, 21, of Millsboro, Delaware.

The victim was mistakenly identified as a 21-year-old woman in the original news release. This has since been updated and corrected.

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.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 012523  0910

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The Delaware State Police have arrested 51-year-old Douglas Hall of Milford, Delaware for his sixth offense DUI following an investigation that occurred in Georgetown yesterday evening.

On January 23, 2023, at approximately 5:08 p.m., troopers responded to the 25000 block of Bethesda Road regarding a man who was disorderly and apparently drunk in a residential front yard. When troopers arrived, they learned that the man, identified as Douglas Hall, had just fled from the yard on foot and returned to his Jeep, which he had driven into a nearby ditch. Troopers found the Jeep and contacted Hall as he was seated in his vehicle. Troopers detected signs of impairment with Hall and conducted a DUI investigation. Hall was subsequently taken into custody at the scene without incident. Computer checks of Hall showed that he had a revoked driver’s license and five prior convictions for DUI.

Hall was taken to Troop 4 and charged with the following offenses:

• 6^th Offense DUI (Felony)
• Failure to Comply With Taking of Photographs and Fingerprints
• Driving While Suspended / Revoked

Hall was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $10,600 cash bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 012423  1322

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The Delaware State Police have identified the driver who died in a motor vehicle collision on January 23, 2023, in Seaford as George Jefferson, 69, of Hebron, Maryland.

State Police Investigating Fatal Morning Crash

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 Senior Corporal R. Albert by calling 302-703-3266. 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.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 012423  1229

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The Delaware State Police have identified the bicyclist who died in a motor vehicle collision on January 22, 2023, in Rehoboth Beach as Russell Harrison, 54, of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

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.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 012423  1223

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The Delaware State Police have arrested three people after concluding a several-month-long drug investigation in Millsboro.

On the evening of January 23, 2023, members of the Sussex Drug Unit, Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, and Special Operations Response Team executed a search warrant at a residence on the 25000 block of Oak Street in Millsboro. When troopers entered the home, they were able to take Christina Blades into custody without incident. Tomaris White was taken into custody after he attempted to destroy narcotics. Stephen Tankard tried to flee from the residence, but he was taken into custody by troopers a short time later after he resisted arrest and attempted to hide outside. Tankard was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and was later released.

A search of the home led to the discovery of the following:

• Approximately 3.934 grams of packaged suspected heroin
• Approximately 3.67 grams of suspected raw heroin
• Approximately 6.84 grams of cocaine
• Approximately 21.46 grams of crack cocaine
• Over $4,300 in suspected drug dealing proceeds
• Numerous items of drug paraphernalia

White, Tankard, and Blades were taken to Troop 4 and charged with the following crimes:

Tomaris White, 43, of Dover, Delaware:

• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Operating a Clandestine Drug Laboratory (Felony)
• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
• Tampering With Physical Evidence (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

White was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $116,200 cash bond.

Stephen Tankard, 58, of Millsboro, Delaware:

• Operating a Clandestine Drug Laboratory (Felony)
• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Maintaining a Drug Property (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity (Felony) – 2 counts
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Tankard was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and was released on his own recognizance.

Christina Blades, 45, of Millsboro, Delaware:

• Operating a Clandestine Drug Laboratory (Felony)
• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 3 counts
• Maintaining a Drug Property (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Blades was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on her own recognizance.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 012423  1217

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The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred yesterday afternoon in Laurel where a school bus collided with a passenger car.

On January 23, 2023, at approximately 3:46 p.m., a gray 2013 Honda Civic was traveling southbound on East Trap Pond Road approaching the intersection at Hardscrabble Road, where there is a posted stop sign. At the same time, a yellow 2009 Bluebird school bus was traveling eastbound on Hardscrabble Road approaching the same intersection. At this juncture, there is no stop sign for traffic on Hardscrabble Road. For unknown reasons, the driver of the Civic failed to stop at the posted stop sign, continued through the intersection, and proceeded directly into the path of the school bus. The school bus driver tried to swerve to avoid striking the Civic but was unable to do so. As a result, the front of the bus struck the passenger side of the Civic, causing the Civic to overturn and exit the roadway. The school bus also exited the roadway and overturned onto its left side.

The school bus driver, a 34-year-old woman from Bridgeville, Delaware, was wearing her seatbelt. She was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and was later released. There were thirteen students from Sussex Montessori Charter School on the bus. Twelve students were taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and were later released. One student was airlifted and admitted to an area hospital for serious injuries.

The driver of the Honda Civic, a 21-year-old man from Millsboro, Delaware, was not wearing his seatbelt and 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 collision. The roadways were closed for approximately five 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.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 012423  1201

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Delaware State Police are investigating the robbery of a Wilmington area Applebee’s that occurred on Monday night.

On January 23, 2023, at approximately 9:40 p.m., troopers responded to the Applebee’s located at 4301 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington for a report of a robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined that a male suspect entered the restaurant through the curbside pickup door and confronted an employee at the cash register. The suspect implied he had a weapon and demanded money from the register. The victim complied and the suspect fled the restaurant on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect was last seen running on foot toward Farrand Drive. No one was injured in this incident.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 30s approximately 5’8” tall, 170 lbs., wearing all dark clothing. There are no surveillance images available at this time.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit is currently investigating the incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective B. Harris by calling 302-365-8410. 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 1800 VICTIM-1. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 012423  1120

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The Delaware State Police have arrested 28-year-old Tiffany Webb of Bridgeville, Delaware after she resisted arrest and assaulted a trooper on Saturday afternoon.

On January 21, 2023, at approximately 1:34 p.m., troopers responded to the area of Abbys Way and Valene Drive in Bridgeville after receiving a call of a dark colored Honda Civic being driven recklessly in the neighborhood. Troopers found the car parked in the driveway at a residence on the 11000 block of Valene Drive spoke with the vehicle owner, identified as Tiffany Webb, at the front door. Webb had two active warrants for her arrest and tried to close the door while a trooper was speaking with her. The trooper attempted to take Webb into custody, but she physically resisted until a second trooper arrived at the home. While Webb was being handcuffed, she scratched, grabbed, and twisted the trooper’s hand, causing minor injury.

Webb was taken to Troop 5, where she was charged with the following crimes:

• Assault Second Degree on a Law Enforcement Officer (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest With Force or Violence (Felony)

Webb was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $6,000 secured bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 012323  1501

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The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal two-car collision that occurred in Seaford earlier this morning.

On January 23, 2023, at approximately 7:11 a.m., a 2012 Hyundai Sonata was traveling northbound in the left lane of Sussex Highway approaching the intersection at Lakeside Road. At the same time, a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier was stopped in the northbound left lane of Sussex Highway for a stopped Seaford School District bus, which was picking up children and had its red lights flashing and stop sign extended. For unknown reasons, the driver of the Sonata failed to stop for the school bus and did not see the stopped Cavalier. The front of the Sonata struck the rear of the Cavalier, and both cars were propelled off the road after impact. The school bus was not hit, and no children were injured.

The driver of the Sonata, a 19-year-old man from Fruitland, Maryland, was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Cavalier, a 69-year-old man from Hebron, Maryland, was taken to an area hospital, where he was 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 Hyundai driver are pending the results of the investigation. Sussex Highway was closed for approximately 3.5 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 Senior Corporal R. Albert by calling 302-703-3266. 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.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 012323  1325

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Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal single motor vehicle collision that occurred in the Smyrna area early this morning.

On January 23, 2023, at approximately 12:17 a.m., a 2010 Toyota Prius was traveling northbound on South Dupont Boulevard (Route 13) approaching Smyrna Leipsic Road at a high rate of speed. For unknown reasons, the Toyota exited off the right shoulder of the roadway and struck a mailbox. The Toyota continued traveling north across the northbound lanes where it exited the roadway a second time off the left shoulder at the intersection of Smyrna Leipsic Road. The Toyota struck a sign on the concrete median separating the north and southbound lanes. The Toyota still traveling north crosses the northbound lanes again before exiting the roadway off the right shoulder a second time where the front of the vehicle simultaneously struck a brick pillar and a concrete post. After this collision, the Toyota continued in a northeasterly direction while rotating counterclockwise through the grass until its right rear impacted a large tree.

Post impact the vehicle caught fire in the engine area, and it quickly spread to the interior. The operator of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification of the victim is pending results from the Medical Examiner’s investigation.

Northbound Route 13 was closed for approximately 3 hours while the crash was investigated, and the roadway was cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this collision. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal Booth by calling 302-698-8451. 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:

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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 Jason Hatchell

Released: 012323  1150

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