Wilmington – On Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 5:28 p.m., Officers assigned to DISRUPT attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop at Maryland Avenue and Sycamore Street in reference to a motor vehicle violation on a 2003 Ford Focus, according to Wilmington Police,
Authorities said that the Focus initially refused to stop and traveled into the 1100 block of Oak Street where the vehicle came to a stop. As both officers exited their marked patrol vehicle in an attempt to made contact with the two occupants, the passenger identified as Jason Turner, 35, of Smyrna, fled on foot, according to police.
One DISRUPT officer gave chase on foot and ultimately placed Turner into custody after deploying his Taser. Officials said that the driver of the Focus, identified as Thomas Johnson, 52, of Wilmington, attempted to drive away from the second DISRUPT officer as he was out of his vehicle by striking the marked Police Vehicle and a parked vehicle located in the 1100 block of Oak Street.
After fleeing this collision on Oak Street, Johnson traveled southbound on Maryland Avenue towards S. Broom Street, Johnson disregarded the red signal at this intersection and collided with two additional vehicles This caused immobilizing damage to all vehicles and non- life threatening injuries to all persons involved, said police.
Officials said that the DISRUPT officer arrived after the collision and called for the medical personnel, who subsequently transported the victims/Suspect to the Christiana and St. Francis Hospitals.
The Victims, identified as a 83 year old man and a 46 year old man, both of Wilmington, were treated for their injuries and released. Defendant Johnson remains in the Christiana Hospital awaiting release and transport to the Wilmington Police Department for arraignment and processing on multiple traffic offenses as well as several active Capias, according to police.
Anyone who has information relative to this ongoing investigation is asked to call Sergeant James Karchner of the Special Operations Division Traffic Unit at 302-571-4414.
Original Post
Wilmington – The Wilmington Police Department Special Operations Division Traffic Unit is currently on the scene of a serious, personal injury motor vehicle accident at Maryland Avenue and S. Broom Street.
Reports from the scene indicate that Wilmington Police were pursuing a male suspect that had fled after being stopped. The man reportedly rammed police cruisers as he fled. The suspect and two other people were reportedly injured when the fleeing vehicle crashed into two other vehicles. All were taken to Christiana Hospital in Stanton.
Motorists are advised to use caution if they must travel in the area and to be aware of intermittent road closures for the next two to four hours as Traffic Division officers investigate the accident scene. Updates will be provided as available.