Presented by the Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz

The Delaware State Police in partnership with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety have coordinated a multi-state traffic campaign to reduce serious and fatal crashes during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

The Delaware State Police are joining forces with 14 other states and local allied partners to reduce traffic deaths and injuries through traffic enforcement. These initiatives will be a contributing effort to support the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) initiative, “The Drive to Save Lives Campaign.” The IACP leaders’ goal is to change the high-risk behaviors of motorists in order to decrease the number of collisions through a greater awareness, education, strong partnerships, and high-visibility traffic enforcement.

According to NHTSA, 2015 marked the largest increase in traffic fatalities since 1966. Also, the first half of 2016 revealed a similar pattern of increase.  The approximate 1,920 miles of I-95 has been ranked among the top 10 in fatalities for the past several years and furthermore, I-95 is the fifth most dangerous interstate in the U.S.

Distracted Driving fatalities increased 8.8% in 2015 and distracted driving is believed to be responsible for 10% of all fatal crashes. With the first six months of 2016 showing an increase in fatal crashes compared to the first six months of 2015, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month proved to be an appropriate time for this initiative.

On Saturday, April 8th through Sunday, April 9th, 2017, law enforcement agencies in each state will conduct traffic enforcement along 1,920 miles of I-95 and other targeted roadways to keep motorists safe and reduce fatalities. The enforcement initiatives will focus on speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, impaired driving, seatbelt use, pedestrian safety, as well as motorcycle and commercial vehicle safety and enforcement.

All 15 states that line Interstate 95 from Maine to Florida (Maine State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Rhode Island State Police, Connecticut State Police, New York State Police, New Jersey State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Delaware State Police, Maryland State Police, Virginia State Police, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Georgia State Patrol, and the Florida Highway Patrol), will be participating in the “I-95 Drive to Save Lives” safe driving campaign, led and coordinated by the Delaware State Police.

The following municipalities– Camden Police Department, Delaware Capitol Police Department, Delaware City Police Department, Delaware River and Bay Authority, Delaware State Police, Dover Police Department, Elsmere Police Department, Greenwood Police Department, Laurel Police Department, Milford Police Department, New Castle City Police Department, New Castle County Police Department, Rehoboth Beach Police Department, Selbyville Police Department and Smyrna Police Department, will be participating in the “Drive to Save Lives in Delaware” by conducting traffic enforcement across the approximately 96 miles of the State of Delaware.

Delaware Troopers with support of their allied partners will be out in full force on Saturday April 8 through Sunday April 9, 2017 conducting traffic enforcement statewide by ground and air, targeting the following roadways, and others throughout the state:

New Castle County

I-95, I-495, SR-1

Kent County

US 13, US 113, SR 1

Sussex County

US 13, US 113, SR 1

“Proactive traffic enforcement during the National Distracted Driving Awareness month is a great example of the continued commitment to maintain safer roads. The Delaware State Police working in conjunction with our state and local allied partners strives to reach our collective goals of increasing awareness of traffic safety and reducing crashes.”

Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. Superintendent of the Delaware State Police

“The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is proud to support the I-95 Drive to Save Lives traffic initiative as part of a multi-state program working to decrease fatal crashes and serious injuries on I-95 and to bring attention to April as National Distracted Driving Awareness month. We want drivers to arrive alive – so put your phone down, reduce your speeds, wear your seatbelt and don’t drive impaired.”

Jana Simpler, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety

Released: 040617 1241

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Penny Hill- Delaware State Police Troop 1 will be holding a Community Café on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Einstein Bros. Bagels located at 1732 Marsh Road (Shoppes of Graylyn), Wilmington, DE. The Community Café will have Troop 1 Administration and the New Castle County Community Outreach Officer in attendance to meet and interact with members of the public. This Community Café is often referred to as “Coffee with a Cop” in other police agencies and is being held in an effort to build a stronger relationship between the Delaware State Police and the communities that we so proudly serve.

Released: 040617 1000

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Harrington – Troopers are investigating a three vehicle crash east of Harrington that sent two people to an area hospital.

The incident occurred around 9:21 a.m. Tuesday April 4, 2017 as Juan R. Colon, 70 of Lincoln, was operating a 2007 Ford Explorer northbound on Deep Grass Lane and came to a stop at the intersection with Milford-Harrington Highway (SR14).  After the stop, the Explorer continued northbound into the intersection and was struck on the left side by a 2011 Dodge Caliber that was traveling eastbound on SR14.  Upon impact, the two vehicles entered into the westbound lane causing a westbound 2005 International truck hauling a Southern States tanker loaded with liquid nitrogen, to brake abruptly, which then caused the contents of the tanker to shift and force the truck off the north side of the roadway.  The truck and tanker then overturned onto its side and came to a stop just west of the intersection.

Juan Colon was properly restrained and was uninjured in the collision.  He was cited for Failure to Remain Stopped.

The 38-year-old male operator of the Caliber was properly restrained and transported by EMS to Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital (MMH) where he was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 33-year-old male operator of the tractor trailer was properly restrained and transported to MMH by EMS where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

SR14 was closed for approximately three hours while hazmat crews from Delaware Natural Resources (DNR), Southern States, and DelDOT contained and cleaned up the spill from the tanker.

Click to Review: **Traffic Advisory** Troopers Investigating Crash East of Harrington

Released: 040417 1550

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Camden – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit has identified the female pedestrian who was struck and killed as Brenda J. Williams, 62 of Dover.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police.

Released: 040417 1305

Please Click To Review Original Release: State Police Investigating a Fatal Collision Involving a Pedestrian – Camden

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Harrington – The Delaware State Police are currently on the scene of a multiple vehicle crash at the intersection of Milford-Harrington Highway (SR14) and Deep Grass Lane.

The incident occurred around 9:21 a.m. Tuesday April 4, 2017 and involves at least three vehicles including a tractor trailer which has overturned.  The extent of any injuries is unknown at this time.

SR14 is currently closed at that intersection and commuter are encouraged to seek alternate routes of travel.

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

Released: 040417 0945

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Camden – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian that occurred last evening.

The incident occurred around 9:41 p.m. Monday April 3, 2017 as a 2015 Jeep Compass was traveling northbound on South DuPont Highway (US13) in the left lane approaching Roberts Avenue.  An adult female pedestrian was walking westbound across US13 just south of Roberts Avenue and was near the center of the roadway of the left lane when she was struck by the passenger side mirror of the Jeep.  The pedestrian slid down the right side of the Jeep before falling into the roadway where she was struck by a 2006 Pontiac G6 and a 2007 Honda Civic that were traveling northbound on US13 a few car lengths behind the Jeep.  All three vehicles were able to come to a controlled stop after the collisions and remained on scene.

The pedestrian who was wearing dark clothing, not carrying a flashlight, or wearing any type of reflective clothing, was pronounced dead at the scene by Kent County Paramedics.  Her name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The operators of all three vehicles were properly restrained and uninjured in the collision.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.  The area of the collision is unlit and there were no crosswalks present.  Speed and alcohol involvement on all three of the drivers does not appear to be a factor in this collision.  There is no evidence of alcohol or drug involvement on behalf of the pedestrian at this time.  US13 northbound in the area of the incident was closed for approximately three and a half hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Released: 040417 0610

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Bear- Delaware State Police are currently investigating a shooting which occurred at a Bear area motel early this morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 3:35 a.m. this morning, Monday, April 3, 2017, as two male and one female suspect knocked on a door of a room at the Glen Motel, located at 1176 Pulaski Highway. When the 55-year-old male occupant of the room opened the door, the two male suspects entered the room while the female suspect held the door closed. Both suspects then began to assault the victim, and at one point, one of the suspects fired a single round from an unknown make and model handgun, striking the victim in the head. The two male suspects then exited the room and entered a gray or silver four door vehicle which was now also occupied by the female suspect. The vehicle then exited the parking lot of the motel and was last seen fleeing in an eastbound direction on Pulaski Highway.

The male victim was removed from the scene and transported to the Christiana Hospital where he was treated for a non-life threatening injury. A 64-year-old female, who was also occupying the room at the time of the incident, was not injured.

One of the suspects was described as a white female. She was approximately 20 years of age, 5’06” tall, weighed approximately 120 lbs. and had long blonde hair.

The other two suspects were both described as black males. One was 5’04” tall with a light complexion, and was dressed in all black clothing. He also wore a mask. The second was 5’07” tall, had a light complexion, was dressed in all black clothing, and also wore a mask. There is no further physical or clothing information available.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Detective Charles Strecker at 302-365-8567. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Wilmington- Delaware State Police are investigating the robbery of a Wilmington area 7-11 store that occurred late Saturday night.

The investigation has determined that the incident occurred on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at approximately 11:38 p.m., as a male suspect entered the 7-11 located at 4865 Governor Printz Boulevard. The suspect approached the sales counter where he then confronted a male clerk. He then implied that he was armed with a gun and demanded money from the cash register as well as cigarettes. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes to him. The suspect then exited the store and fled in an unknown direction. The clerk was not injured and a gun was never displayed.

The suspect was described as a white male. He was 35-40 years of age, 5’08”-5’10” tall, weighed 180-200 lbs., and was last seen wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and sneakers.  There is no further physical or clothing description available.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact the Robbery Unit at Troop 2 at 302-365-8566. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Dover, DE- The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offenders after they either failed to register, re-register, or provide verification as a sex offender. If anyone knows the location of any of these subjects, they are asked to call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

Please click on thumbnails to enlarge.

Released: 040117 1940

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Dover– The following are not wanted.   This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification.  If you have information that any of the listed subjects are occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306.  Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

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Released:040117 1935

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