Photo: Georgetown Police
Georgetown Police responded to two separate vehicle crashes at The Circle over the weekend, both resulting in arrests for driving under the influence and property damage to the historic downtown landmark.
The first incident occurred late Friday night, October 17, 2025, at approximately 10:23 p.m., when officers observed a vehicle speeding on Old Laurel Road. Police said the driver, identified as 28-year-old Dwayne Boney of Smyrna, failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a ramp on the west side of Georgetown Elementary School police said. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Boney fled at high speed toward The Circle, committing multiple traffic violations.
Moments later, the vehicle failed to navigate The Circle and crashed into its interior, causing extensive damage. Boney was taken into custody after showing signs of impairment according to police. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment before being released to police custody. Boney was charged with two counts of Criminal Mischief exceeding $5,000, Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal, Leaving the Scene of a Property Collision, Driving Under the Influence, Failure to Provide Information, Failure to Have Insurance Identification, two counts of Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, Improper Passing, and Driving at an Unreasonable Speed. He was released on his own recognizance after appearing before a magistrate.
The second crash occurred early Sunday morning, October 19, 2025, at approximately 1:02 a.m. Georgetown officers were dispatched to the area of North Bedford Street and The Circle for reports of another single-vehicle collision. Upon arrival, police observed a male subject fleeing on foot from the vehicle police said. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Santos Niz-Chilel of Georgetown, was apprehended after a brief pursuit.
Investigators determined Niz-Chilel’s vehicle was traveling south on North Bedford Street when it continued straight into The Circle, striking a street sign and damaging nearby flower beds. He was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Resisting Arrest, Criminal Mischief, Failure to Provide Information, and Leaving the Scene of a Crash. Niz-Chilel was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution, where he remains in custody.
Authorities have not yet released an estimate of the total repair costs to The Circle following the two crashes.
