Delaware State Police have arrested a 17-year-old juvenile for operating a stolen vehicle and other charges following a pursuit that took place in the Wilmington area on Saturday evening, according to Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto.
DeMalto said on September 3, 2022, at approximately 9:10 p.m., a trooper on patrol observed a silver 2019 Toyota Highlander traveling northbound on Governor Printz Boulevard approaching the intersection with Lea Boulevard. A computer check of the Highlander’s registration showed that the vehicle had been reported stolen by the New Castle County Police Department in September 2022. The trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the operator failed to comply and accelerated away on northbound Governor Printz Boulevard said DeMalto. The trooper pursued the stolen vehicle until it struck a utility pole on northbound Philadelphia Pike at the intersection with Rodman Road. The driver of the Highlander was then taken into custody without further incident.
There were four total occupants of the vehicle at the time of the collision, which included the operator, a 17-year-old male juvenile from Bear, the front-seat passenger, a 16-year-old male juvenile from Wilmington, a rear passenger, an 18-year-old female from Wilmington, and a second rear passenger, an 18-year-old female from Philadelphia. All four occupants sustained serious injuries in the crash, and all four were transported via EMS to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
A search of the vehicle at the scene led to the discovery of approximately 198.84 grams of marijuana said DeMalto.
The 17-year-old male juvenile driver was charged with the following offenses:
Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,500 (Felony)
Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
Vehicular Assault Second Degree – 3 counts
Resisting Arrest
Numerous traffic offenses
The juvenile was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 11 while he was at the hospital. He was subsequently committed to the New Castle County Detention Center on $20,313 secured bond. No other subjects were charged in this incident said DeMalto.