Police: Drunk Driver Nearly Strikes Two At Fatal Accident Investigation

Delaware State Police have arrested 29-year-old Javier Rodriguez of Newark, Delaware for reckless endangering, DUI, and other charges after he drove through a police investigation scene late last night according to police.

Officials said on December 25, 2022, at approximately 11:34 p.m., troopers were at the scene of a fatal motor vehicle collision that had occurred in the area of Pulaski Highway and Becks Wood Drive in Bear. DelDOT crew members had closed westbound Pulaski Highway at Salem Church Road, and detectives from the Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) were investigating the scene. At this time, a 2016 gray Dodge Journey was traveling westbound on Pulaski Highway approaching this intersection. The driver of the Journey bypassed the DelDOT lane closures, disregarded the emergency vehicle lights and arrow boards that were being used to close the road, and continued westbound police said. A trooper attempted to stop the Journey, but the driver failed to stop on command and continued through the accident scene, nearly striking a DelDOT worker and a CRU detective. After a short pursuit the Dodge came to a stop in the parking lot of the Rivera Taco Express restaurant, where the driver, identified as Javier Rodriguez, was taken into custody without further incident. No one was injured in this incident.

The trooper observed signs of impairment with Rodriguez, and a DUI investigation ensued. Rodriguez was subsequently taken to Troop 2 and charged with the following crimes:

  • Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony) – two counts
  • Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
  • Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol
  • Several traffic offenses

Rodriguez was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $8,103 secured bond.

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