Frankford – The Delaware State Police Sussex County Drug Unit has arrested a Millsboro man following an investigation into illegal drug distribution.

On Monday October 2, 2017 the Sussex County Drug Unit with the assistance of the Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, concluded a month-long investigation of Karmikus T. Smith after information was received he was distributing heroin throughout Sussex County.   Smith, 41 of Millsboro, was contacted after a traffic stop was conducted on his GMC Yukon on Frankford School Road.  Karmikus Smith and a 58-year-old male passenger were taken into custody without incident.  A search warrant was obtained for the SUV and the search yielded 1,092 bags (7.64 grams) of heroin and over $500.00 in suspected drug proceeds.

Karmikus Smith was transported back to Troop 4 in Georgetown where he was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity (Heroin), Possession With Intent to Deliver Heroin, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $61,000.00 cash bond.

The 58-year-old male passenger was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and released on an unsecured bond.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 100317 0855

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Middletown – Delaware State Police are currently on scene of a crash involving a dump truck and a tractor trailer, which occurred at the intersection of U.S. 13 southbound and Hyetts Corner Rd., Middletown.

At this time traffic on U.S. 13 southbound is restricted to the right shoulder. Commuters will experience lengthy delays in this area and should seek alternate routes of travel.

Please follow the Real Time Travel Advisories through DelDOT to get updates on the road opening by clicking: http://deldot.gov/information/travel_advisory/#trafficBox1

Further details regarding the crash will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 100217 1508

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Edgemoor –  Delaware State Police are currently investigating a serious motor vehicle crash which occurred I-495 northbound in the area of Edgemoor.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:27 p.m., Monday October 2nd, 2017 on I-495 northbound approximately 1.5 miles north of the Edgemoor Rd. interchange. The initial investigation indicates that a 2003 Honda Accord operated by a 35 year old Newark man,  travelled off the right side of the roadway for an unknown reason, striking a guardrail. The operator of the vehicle was treated on scene by EMS and then transported to Christiana Hospital by Delaware State Police Helicopter Trooper 4 where he was admitted in serious condition.

I-495 north bound was shut down for approximately 30 minutes however all lanes have been re-opened at this time.

Troopers are continuing their investigation into this crash.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 100217 1351

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Newark – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on I95 earlier this afternoon.

The incident occurred around 12:23 p.m. Sunday October 1, 2017 in the area of the service plaza on southbound I95 after a 44-year-old male passenger exited a Greyhound bus, traveling to Atlanta, Georgia from New York City, stopped at the Welcome Center for a break.  The male walked to the guardrail of the southbound lanes of I95 where he sat momentarily as traffic continued southbound.  Within seconds, the man reportedly dove into the path of a 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek that was traveling southbound on I-95 in the left thru lane.

The 44-year-old male pedestrian, whose identity is still to be confirmed, was treated on the scene by New Castle County Paramedics and transported to Christiana Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The 39-year-old male operator of the Crosstrek, from Newtown, Pennsylvania, and his two juvenile passengers were properly restrained and uninjured in the crash.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.  Traffic on the southbound lanes of I95 were impacted for two hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

**Traffic Advisory** State Police Investigating Serious Pedestrian Crash – Newark

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 100117 1715

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Newark – The Delaware State Police are currently on the scene of a serious pedestrian crash on I95.

The incident occurred around 12:23 p.m. Sunday October 1, 2017 in the area of the service plaza on southbound I95 and involves a pedestrian struck by a car.  The pedestrian has been removed from the scene by EMS to an area hospital in serious condition and the car remained at the scene.

Multiple southbound lanes of I95 are currently closed in the area.  Commuters should expect delays in the area and find alternate routes of travel.

Further details will be released upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Please follow the Real Time Travel Advisories through DelDOT to get updates on the road opening by clicking: http://deldot.gov/information/travel_advisory/#trafficBox1

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 100117 1255

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Lewes – Troopers are investigating a robbery and assault of a man after he came to Lewes to make a purchase off Craigslist.

The incident was reported to troopers around 2:11 a.m. Sunday October 1, 2017, after medical personnel at Beebe Healthcare contacted Troop 7 to inform them of an assault victim that was being treated.  The 32-year-old male victim informed investigators that he came down to Lewes from Dover to meet with a potential seller of an electronic device that was posted on Craigslist.  The victim met the seller at the north end of Stingey Lane (Dead End) and as the two began to converse, three male subjects approached his car and punched him in the face through his window.  The three then pulled him from his vehicle and continued to assault him while removing his jewelry and a cell phone.  The three suspects then fled the area in an unknown direction and the Craigslist seller also drove away from the scene.  The male victim then drove himself to Beebe Healthcare for treatment.

The three suspects could only be described as one white male and two black males.  No further physical or clothing description.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Trooper J. Berry at 302-644-5020.  Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

The Delaware State Police would like to offer a few safety tips for citizens to keep in mind when conducting such transactions:

• Citizens who want to meet a buyer or seller should do so during daylight hours.
• Do not go to a transaction alone.
• Make sure a friend or family member is aware of the transaction details.
• Insist on meeting in a public area where cameras are located.  You can always conduct transactions in Troop or Police Department parking lots.
• Do not go into someone else’s home, and do not allow them into yours.
• If someone is not willing to meet you in a public area, during daylight areas, it is probably not a legitimate transaction
• Trust your instincts.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 100117 1020

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Dover – The Delaware State Police were called to an incident this afternoon in which a small aircraft overshot a runway.

The incident occurred around 10:22 a.m. Saturday September 30, 2017 after the pilot of a 1971 Fixed Wing Single-Engine Cessna dialed 9-1-1 to report that the aircraft had overshot the runway at Chandelle Estates Airport located at 114 Kruser Boulevard.  Troopers along with personnel from DelDOT responded to the scene where they located the small aircraft in the middle of Bayside Drive (SR9) between Silver Leaf Lane and White Oak Road.  The pilot and one passenger were uninjured and the plane sustained damage to the prop and front landing gear.

SR9 between Silver Leaf Drive and White Oak Road was closed for approximately an hour and a half while the plane was removed from the roadway.

The investigation into this incident has been turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 093017 1310

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Wilmington (19808) – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal hit and run crash that killed a pedestrian early this morning.

The incident occurred around 12:35 a.m. Saturday September 30, 2017 as a 50-year-old Wilmington female was initially observed walking in the vicinity of the intersection of Kirkwood Highway (SR2) and Farrand Drive.  She was then observed by witnesses crossing from the south side of SR2 towards the north side of the roadway when she stepped into the path of what was described as a dark colored pickup truck.  After the collision, the vehicle continued westbound on SR2 without stopping.

The 50-year-old victim, who was not carrying a light or crossing in a designated pedestrian crosswalk, was pronounced dead at the scene.  Her name is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Kirkwood Highway in the area of Farrand Drive was closed for approximately two hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Sergeant D. Alexander at 302-365-8484.  Information may also be provide by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 093017 0900

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Bridgeville, De – The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit have made two arrests in the August 24th shooting incident which resulted in the death of a 19-year-old Bridgeville man.

Preston W. Nailor, 35 of Georgetown, and Brooke L. Squatrito, 20 of Bridgeville, were both arrested on Friday, September 29, 2017 after the investigation revealed Squatrito set up a purported drug deal with Tyron Lake for the purpose of helping Nailor rob Lake.  Once Nailor and Lake met alone at the predetermined location, Nailor entered Lake’s passenger seat to conduct the drug deal when gunfire was exchanged between the two, resulting Lake’s death.  Preston Nailor then dialed 9-1-1 to report that he had been shot.

Preston Nailor and Brooke Squatrito were both charged with Murder 1st, Attempted Robbery 1st, two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Conspiracy 2nd.  They were both arraigned at JP2 and remanded to the custody of the Delaware Department of Correction on $1,182,000.00 cash bond (Nailor) and $652,000.00 cash bond (Squatrito).

Troopers Investigate Shooting – Bridgeville – Update

Troopers Investigate Shooting – Bridgeville

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 093017 0805

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Wilmington (19802) – The Delaware State Police are investigating an overnight shooting that occurred at an area bar.

The incident was reported by medical personnel around 12:00 a.m. Saturday September 30, 2017 after a 42-year-old male drove himself to a Wilmington area hospital with a gunshot wound to his upper torso.  The investigation revealed the male victim was in his automobile in the parking lot of Sweet Daddy’s Bar, located at 3806 Governor Printz Boulevard, when he was shot by an unknown subject.  The victim then drove himself to the hospital for treatment of the non-life-threatening wound.

No suspect information is available at this time and the investigation into this incident is currently on-going.  Further information will be provided as the investigation progresses.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Detective S. Rizzo at 302-365-8440.  Information may also be provide by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 093017 0730

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