Symrna Police have charged a 25-year-old Felton man with multiple charges after he fled from police and crashed.
On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at approximately 1:00 pm, Smyrna officers on patrol were alerted to a driver, Mazen Faraj, slumped over behind the wheel on US 13 in the area of S Carter Road. When officers contacted Faraj they were able to wake him. While speaking with Faraj officers determined that he was under the influence of drugs, according to officials. Officers ordered Faraj to turn the engine off and exit the vehicle.
Faraj became combative and began struggling with officers. He was able to get his vehicle in gear and rapidly accelerated, nearly striking an officer who was in the roadway. Faraj fled the scene, continuing to traveling on US 13 at a high rate of speed, nearly striking another motorist who had exited his vehicle to assist officers.
Officials said Faraj was unable to navigate through the intersection at S Carter Road and struck two vehicles that were stopped in traffic, causing injury to three innocent uninvolved motorists. Officers were then able to remove the suspect and take him into custody after a brief struggle in the median. Police located 64 bags of suspected heroin as well as drug paraphernalia inside the suspect’s vehicle, according to authorities.
The three injured motorists were transported to Bayhealth-Smyrna for treatment of what police described as minor injuries. Faraj declined treatment and was transported back to police headquarters where he was presented to JP #2 via video phone on the following charges:
Possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony
Reckless Endangering 1st degree (2 counts)
Resisting arrest with force/violence
Vehicular Assault 3rd degree (3 counts)
Possession of a controlled substance (heroin)
Reckless driving (drug-related)
Driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs
After the presentment, Faraj was transported to SCI in default of $30,000 cash bond pending a future court hearing.
In July Faraj was arrested by Dover Police for allegedly trying to rob a Dover Mall jewelry store at gunpoint. Read more about that incident below:
Man Charged With Trying To Rob Dover Mall Jewelry Store At Gunpoint