New Castle – The Delaware State Police have charged 20-year-old Nijir D. Lee of Wilmington with multiple offenses stemming from a pursuit that occurred Wednesday afternoon, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin aid the incident began at approximately 12:40 p.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2019, when a Trooper, who was on routine patrol in the area of the Rt. 13/40 split, came upon a tan, Chevy Silverado that had been reported stolen out of the City of Wilmington the previous day. The Chevy turned on to Rt. 40 and then into the parking lot of the Wilton Blvd. Walmart, where the Trooper activated his emergency equipment and initiated a traffic stop. The driver of the Chevy, who was ultimately identified as Lee, refused to stop and a pursuit ensued.
(Several videos of the chase can be found in our Facebook post from yesterday)
After traveling onto Wilton Blvd., the pursuit made its way onto Christiana Rd. (DE Rt. 273) and then onto U.S. 13 northbound. As the Chevy continued to flee northbound on Rt. 13 it struck a vehicle, in the area of Boulden Blvd. The occupant of the vehicle that was struck was not injured. After the collision, the pursuit continued northbound on Rt. 13 into the City of Wilmington, where the Chevy became disabled in the area of 2nd and Walnut St.’s, at which time Lee was taken into custody without further incident.
A 17-year-old female passenger in the Chevy was not injured and was turned over to the custody of her parent after it was determined there was no wrongdoing on her behalf.
Lee was transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with the following:
Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony
Reckless Endangering 1st Degree (2 counts)
Disregard a Police Officers Signal
Receiving Stolen Property Greater than $1500.00
Criminal Mischief Greater than $1000.00
Aggressive Driving
Reckless Driving
Leaving the Scene of a Crash
Speeding
No Proof of Insurance
Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device
Remove a Vehicle From Scene of a Crash
Fail to Stop at a Red Light
Improper Passing
Fail to Remain in Proper Lane
Lee was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #2 and then committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $30,807 secured bail.