Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier 

North Dover- The Delaware State Police are currently on the scene of a serious motor vehicle crash on North DuPont Highway (US13) southbound between Fork Branch Road and West Dennys Road that  occurred around 8:30 p.m. this evening.

Preliminary investigation indicates the incident involves a pedestrian.

US13 southbound between Fork Branch Road and West Dennys Road is closed.  Commuters are advised to seek alternate routes of travel.

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

Released: 091216 2105

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

Bear, DE – Troopers are investigating a vehicle crash that occurred south of Bear this afternoon involving a school bus.

The preliminary investigation revealed the incident occurred around 4:07 p.m. today, Monday, September 12, 2016, as Keith E. Pyle, 40 of Elkton, Maryland was operating a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck northbound on Summit Bridge Road behind a school bus. Ashleigh M. Gladden, 24 of Smyrna, was operating a 2006 Blue Bird bus on Summit Bridge road and stopped in the right lane due to another bus stopped ahead with red lights flashing. A Commercial UTZ fleet truck, operated by Steven Williams, 54 of Dover, was stopped directly in front of the bus. The Dodge Ram pickup truck struck the rear bumper of the bus with the front of the truck. After the collision the bus continued northbound and struck the Commercial UTZ fleet truck. The driver and 18 students were on board the bus. The school bus was from the Delaware First State Military Academy.

There were five students reported to have minor injuries and were transported by EMS to the Christiana Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Steven Williams, 54 of Dover, was wearing his seatbelt and uninjured in the crash.

Keith E. Pyle, 40 of Elkton, Maryland, was wearing his seatbelt and was uninjured in the crash. He was ticketed for Inattentive Driving.

The intersection of Summit Bridge road and Red Lion road was impacted for approximately one hour while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Released: 091216 1831

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

Newark, DE- Delaware State Police are currently investigating a serious crash involving two motorcycles that occurred early this morning south of Newark.

The initial investigation has determined the crash occurred early this morning, Monday, September 12, 2016, at approximately 1:22 a.m., as a 2010 Harley Davidson FFB motorcycle operated by Ryan S. Courtney, 33 of Newark, was traveling northbound on SR 896 with a small group of motorcycles. It was reported some of the group were making a right hand turn onto eastbound Old Baltimore Pike and others were going to continue northbound straight on SR 896. A second motorcycle, a 1999 Harley Davidson Sportster operated by Kathryn M. Ford, 33 of Wilmington, was traveling northbound on SR 896. As she approached the intersection of Old Baltimore Pike directly behind Courtney’s motorcycle her front tire struck the rear right side of his motorcycle. Both motorcycles slid out of control and went down into the intersection of SR 896 and Old Baltimore Pike causing both operators to be ejected.

Kathryn M. Ford, 33 of Wilmington, was wearing a helmet. She was treated by the New Castle County Paramedics and then transported to the Christiana Hospital Trauma Center with life threatening injuries and is currently listed in critical condition.

Ryan S. Courtney, 33 of Newark, was wearing a helmet. He sustained minor injuries and refused treatment.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police. Old Baltimore Pike and SR 896 in the area of the crash was impacted for approximately 30 minutes as the crash was investigated and cleared.

Released: 091216 1051

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

Edgemoor, De. – Delaware State Police are currently at the scene of a single vehicle crash.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 7:25 a.m., Monday, September 12, 2016, on I-495 southbound north of Edgemoor Road. The operator of the single vehicle is reported to be uninjured.

As a result of the crash, all lanes of I-495 southbound have been close. Commuters are asked to find alternate routes of travel.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police. Further updates will be released as they are received.

Released: 091216 0751

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Dover – The Delaware State Police are investigating a home invasion style robbery that occurred south of Dover.

The incident occurred around 11:18 p.m., Saturday September 10, 2016 when two male subjects entered the front door at a residence located in the unit block of Weeping Willow Court.  The suspects confronted a 32-year-old female who was sleeping in her bedroom with her 7-year-old daughter.  The two suspects were armed with unknown type handguns and demanded cash and a safe.  The two then removed an undisclosed amount of money from the victim’s purse as well as a safe and fled the residence in an unknown direction.  The victim and her 7-year-old daughter, as well as three other children ages, 16, 12, and 8, that were asleep in other rooms, were uninjured in the incident.

The two suspects were described as black males, 25-35 year of age, 5’10” – 6’01” tall.  One of the suspects was wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans, black gloves and a white mask covering his face.  The second suspect was wearing dark colored clothing with a black mask covering his face.  No further physical or clothing description available.  Both were armed with unknown type handguns.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Detective T. Ford at 302-698-8569. 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.”

Released: 091116 0900

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

New Castle – The Delaware State Police Major Crimes Unit is currently investigating the shooting of a 16-year-old boy as he rode his bike along Christiana Road (SR273).

The incident occurred around 11:45 p.m., Saturday September 10, 2016 when a 9-1-1 call was received advising of 6-10 gunshots in the area of SR273 and Airport Road.  Approximately five minutes later, another 9-1-1 call was received from a residence on Winburne Drive stating a 16-year-old male had been shot in the lower extremity.  The investigation revealed the 16-year-old had been riding westbound on SR273 east of Airport Road when he was shot and continued home where his mother called 9-1-1.

The young boy was transported by EMS to an area hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound to an upper extremity as well as the lower extremity.

There is currently no suspect information available.

Detectives are continuing their investigation and if anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Detective A. Lloyd at 302-834-2630. 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.”

Released: 091116 0825

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

New Castle– The Delaware State Police are investigating a crash that occurred on I95 under the Chapman Road overpass involving a dump truck (originally reported as a tractor trailer).

The incident occurred around 11:08 p.m. Saturday September 10, 2016 as Fresa M. Pichardo, 46 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was operating a 2015 Caterpillar CAT660 dump truck southbound on I95 moving from the far right lanes (construction zone) to the far left exit lane, in order to make a U-turn at the I 95 service area.  The dump hopper was in the raised position after unloading asphalt when the left side of the hopper’s upper portion struck the lower steel girder of the Chapman Road overpass bridge.  This impact caused the dump truck to overturn on its right side.

Fresa Pichardo was properly restrained uninjured.  She was cited for Inattentive Driving.

DelDOT engineers responded to the crash scene to inspect the overpass which was determined to be structurally sound.

Traffic on I95 southbound was impacted for approximately fours hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Released: 091116 0755

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**Original Release**

Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

New Castle– Delaware State Police are currently at the scene of a single vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 11:08 p.m., Saturday, September 10, 2016, on I-95 southbound under the Chapman Road overpass and involves a tractor-trailer which has overturned. The male operator of the tractor trailer is reported to be uninjured.

As a result of the crash, all lanes of I-95 southbound have been closed and traffic is being diverted off of the highway and onto the ramp to DE Rt. 273 (Christiana Road) southbound. Commuters are asked to find alternate routes of travel.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police. Further updates will be released as they are received.

Released: 091116 0040

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

New Castle– Delaware State Police are currently at the scene of a single vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 11:08 p.m., Saturday, September 10, 2016, on I-95 southbound under the Chapman Road overpass and involves a tractor-trailer which has overturned. The male operator of the tractor trailer is reported to be uninjured.

As a result of the crash, all lanes of I-95 southbound have been closed and traffic is being diverted off of the highway and onto the ramp to DE Rt. 273 (Christiana Road) southbound. Commuters are asked to find alternate routes of travel. 

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police. Further updates will be released as they are received.

Released: 091116 0040

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Newark, DE- Delaware State Police are currently investigating the robbery of a Newark area cell phone store.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:05 a.m., Saturday September 10, 2016, as a male suspect armed with an unknown type handgun entered the Verizon Wireless store located at 1209 Churchmans Road. The suspect approached a male clerk in an inventory room at the rear of the store and demanded money from the safe.  The victim complied and the suspect removed an unknown amount of cash from the safe before fleeing out a rear door in an unknown direction.  There were no injuries.

The suspect was described as a white male, 6’01” tall, 160 lbs., wearing a grey sweatshirt, blue jeans, with a mask covering his face (No further physical or clothing description).  Armed with an unknown type handgun and a pocket knife.

There are no video surveillance photos available to be released at this time.

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.”

Released: 091016 2145

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Magnolia, DE- The Delaware State Police have arrested three people in connection with a Friday evening robbery of a pizza delivery driver.

The preliminary investigation has determined the incident occurred Friday September 9, 2016 at approximately 9:50 p.m., when Troopers were dispatched to Papa John’s Pizza near Camden for a report of a robbery that occurred with one of their drivers. The 37-year-old female driver attempted to deliver a pizza to an address on Colleen Court when she was waved down by two males standing by a green Toyota Camry in the cul-de-sac.  Upon contacting the suspects, they demanded the pizza and her money.  After initially refusing to turn over the money, one of the suspects displayed an unknown type handgun and removed the money from the victim.  The two men then entered the Toyota where a third suspect was sitting, and drove out of the development in an unknown direction.

The victim was not injured and was able to obtain the vehicle registration as it drove away.  Through investigative measures, troopers were able to obtain information of the subject that was in possession of the car.  On Saturday September 10, 2016 troopers located the vehicle parked behind a residence on Juanita Drive, Magnolia, as well as two subjects sleeping in a camper.

Ryan S. King, 23 of Magnolia, and Ethan H. Peterson, 25 of Bowers Beach, were taken into custody without incident.  A black starter pistol was also located nearby in a trash pile that used during the crime, as well as clothing worn by the suspects that was described by the victim.

Ryan King and Ethan Peterson were transported back to Troop 3 near Camden where they were both charged with Robbery 1st, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Conspiracy 2nd.  King was additionally charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited.  They were arraigned at JP7 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $91,000.00 secured and $81,000.00 secured respectively.  (There are currently no photos available for King and Peterson)

Later Saturday afternoon, Austin L. Gruwell, 20 of Magnolia, was taken into custody and charged with Robbery 1st, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Conspiracy 2nd.  He was arraigned at JP7 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $81,000.00 secured bond.

Released: 091016 2120

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