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

Elsmere- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate a fatal motor vehicle crash that has claimed the life of a Newark man that occurred early this afternoon.

The investigation thus far has determined that the crash happened at approximately 12:28 p.m. this afternoon, Wednesday, February 15, 2017, as a 68-year-old Newark, DE man was operating a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta and for an unknown reason was traveling  in a southbound direction on the left hand shoulder of northbound DE Rt. 141 (Basin Road) just south of DE Rt. 2 (Kirkwood Highway), Elsmere. The operator of the Jetta then swerved his vehicle into the northbound left hand lane of Rt. 141 directly into the path of a 2011 Ford F-350, which was being operated by Jonathon Amato, 44, of Felton, DE. The left front of the Jetta then struck the left front of the F-350. Following the impact, the Jetta rotated counter-clockwise and traveled in a southwesterly direction. The front of the Volkswagen then struck the guard rail separating the northbound and southbound sides of DE Rt. 141 where it then came to rest. The Ford F-350 traveled a short distance in a northeasterly direction and entered into the path of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, which was traveling in the right hand northbound lane of the highway and which was being operated by John Wellons, 42, of Montchanin, DE. Both vehicles then came to rest just north of the crash scene.

The operator of the Volkswagen was not properly restrained at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld pending the notification of his next of kin. It is unknown if alcohol or drug us on the part of the victim was a contributing factor in this crash, however, excessive speed on the part of the victim does appear to be a factor.

Jonathon Amato was properly restrained at the time of the crash. He sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene. John Wellons was also properly restrained at the time of the crash and was not injured.

All of the northbound lanes of DE Rt. 141 were closed for approximately 3 hours and traffic was diverted onto Centerville Road as the crash was investigated and cleared.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police.

Released: 021517 1955

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

Elsmere- Delaware State Police are currently investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash which occurred this afternoon just north of Newport.

The initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 12:28 p.m. today, Wednesday, February 15, 2017, on northbound DE Rt. 141 just north of Boxwood Road and involves three vehicles. As a result of the crash, one subject has been declared dead at the scene. There do not appear to be any other injuries at this time.

Both northbound lanes and one southbound lane of Rt. 141 have been closed to traffic and commuters are asked to find alternate routes of travel.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is enroute to the scene and will assume the investigation. Further details will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

Released: 021517 1315

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

Townsend- Delaware State Police have arrested a man and charged him in connection with a burglary and theft from a mailbox following a vehicle pursuit which occurred yesterday in Townsend.

The incident began at approximately 8:50 a.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, after troopers received the call of a suspicious person in the area of Blackbird Station Road and Naomi Lane. Troopers were advised that a male subject, who had been operating a black Jeep, had exited the vehicle and put the hood of it up as if the car was disabled. The subject then began walking around the area looking into the back yards of homes. As troopers arrived to the area, they observed a vehicle matching the description of the Jeep traveling in a westbound direction on Dogtown Road. A traffic stop of the vehicle was then attempted in the area of Green Giant Road east of Grears Corner Road. However the operator of the Jeep, later identified as Daniel M. Woods, 55, refused to stop and drove through the St. Anne’s Golf Course, several farm fields, and the back yard of a home before his vehicle became disabled. Troopers were then able to take Woods into custody without incident. A subsequent pat down search revealed that he was in possession of a concealed knife. Troopers also conducted a search of Woods’ Jeep at which time they located a box of jewelry and several DVD’s in the car.

Daniel Woods was then transported to Troop 9, Odessa, where a computer check revealed that he was currently wanted by the Wilmington Police Department in reference to a burglary he had committed in their jurisdiction, as well as for several court capiases. As troopers were continuing their investigation, a report of a burglary which had occurred at a home located in the 500 block of Dogtown Road, Townsend, was received. Troopers learned that items taken in the burglary matched the items which were recovered in Woods’ Jeep. At the same time, a resident from the unit block of Pine Tree Lane, Townsend responded to Troop 9 and reported that a neighbor had observed a male subject matching the description of Woods, removing pieces of mail from her mailbox. Troopers were able to subsequently link Woods to the theft.

Daniel Woods, who is homeless, was arrested and charged by troopers with Burglary 2nd Degree, 2 counts of Theft, 2 counts of Criminal Mischief, Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Carrying a Concealed Deady Weapon, Malicious Mischief by a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving, and Resisting Arrest. He was arraigned at JP Court 9 and committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Institution in default of $22,200.00 secured bail.

Released: 021517 0745

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

Townsend- Delaware State Police have arrested two men following an investigation into the sale of illegal drugs occurring at a Townsend area home late last week.

The investigation began on Friday, February 10, 2017 at approximately 2:10 p.m. after troopers had received multiple complaints of illegal drug sales which were occurring at a home located in the 100 block of Main Street, Townsend. As troopers were in the area they observed as a white Chevrolet Malibu pulled into the driveway of the residence. A male subject exited the passenger seat of the car and then conducted what appeared to be a hand to hand drug transaction with the operator of the car. The Malibu then left the residence.

Troopers conducted a traffic stop of the car and upon coming into contact with the operator, later identified as Raymond Conaway, 19, of Middletown, they detected an odor of marijuana coming from the interior of the car. Conaway was also unable to produce a driver’s license or proof of motor vehicle insurance when requested to by the troopers. He was then asked to exit the vehicle and upon doing so, a clear plastic bag containing 3.13 grams of marijuana and $549.00 in cash was observed in the driver’s door pocket of the car. Conaway was then taken into custody. A further search of the car was conducted at which time troopers located two additional plastic bags containing a total of 5.61 grams of marijuana inside.

Raymond Conaway was then transported to Troop 9 where he was arrested and charged with Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, No Proof of Motor Vehicle Insurance, and No Operator’s License in Possession. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and released on $10,000.00 unsecured bail.

Troopers then responded back to the residence on Main Street, where they came into contact with William Garber, 18. As troopers were speaking with Garber, they detected the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside of the home. Garber granted the troopers permission to conduct a search of the residence and upon doing so, they were able to locate over 128 grams of marijuana candy and a marijuana laced brownie weighing approximately 58 grams.

William Garber was then transported to Troop 9 where he was arrested and charged with Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity, Maintaining a Drug Property, and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and released on $20,000.00 unsecured bail.

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