Trooper Noticed Truck Dragging Highway Sign, Man Charged With 5th DUI

Seaford- The Delaware State Police have arrested 48-year-old Shawn H. Wingate after he was found to be under the influence for the 5th time, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.

Jaffe said the incident occurred on February 1, 2020, at approximately 8:36 p.m., when a Trooper observed a black Dodge Ram truck traveling westbound on Old Furnace Road in the area of Middleford Road, Seaford.

The truck was dragging a “No Parking” state highway sign under the passenger-side rear tire so the Trooper initiated a traffic stop. When contact was made with the driver, Shawn Wingate, the Trooper detected an odor of alcohol, according to Jaffe. After an investigation,  Wingate was charged with DUI .  Jaffe said a computer inquiry revealed that Wingate had four previous DUI convictions, making this arrest his 5th offense.

Wingate was taken into custody without incident and transported back to Troop 5 where he was charged with the following:

5th Offense DUI
Leaving the Scene of Property Collision Accident
Failure to Have Insurance Identification
Failure to Report a Collision Involving Alcohol or Drugs
Wingate was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $12420.00 secured bond.

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