The New Castle County Division of Police, Traffic Services Unit, has charged Michael Dutton, a 42-year-old Newark man, with vehicular assault in the second degree and other traffic-related offenses after he struck an 8-year-old child and fled the scene, according to police.
Officials said on Thursday, March 2, at approximately 6:50 p.m., police were dispatched to a hit-and-run collision with injuries to an 8-year-old boy in the area of Cardiff Way and Hazeltine Lane in St. Andrews Addition Townhouses.
The child was initially transported to the Christiana Hospital and then later transferred to Nemours Children’s Hospital. He has since been discharged.
The preliminary investigation showed the striking vehicle was a black sports-style sedan according to police. As the investigation continued, detectives identified the striking vehicle as a black 2014 Infiniti Q60.
Detectives located and recovered the vehicle and learned Dutton was the operator of the vehicle at the time of the collision police said Friday.
He has been charged with Vehicular assault in the second degree, Hindering prosecution, operation of a vehicle causing serious physical injury to a vulnerable user, Leaving the scene of a collision resulting in injury, Driving while suspended or revoked, Failure to report a collision resulting in injury or death, and Removal of a vehicle from the scene of a collision.
He was arraigned and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $3000 secured bail.