The Delaware State Police have arrested a 14-year-old boy on several criminal and traffic charges following a crash investigation that occurred yesterday afternoon.
Officials said on April 16, 2023, at approximately 3:37 p.m., troopers responded to the intersection of Coastal Highway and Slaughter Beach Road regarding a five-car collision. Troopers learned that several vehicles, including a blue 2017 Honda CR-V, had been stopped on northbound Coastal Highway at this intersection for flashing red lights, which indicated that a fire service vehicle was about to enter the roadway. Rescue crews were responding to an accident involving a motorcycle just north of the intersection.
At this time, a black 2023 Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling northbound on Coastal Highway approaching the stopped CR-V. The driver of the pickup, a 14-year-old boy from Newark, Delaware, failed to stop and crashed into the rear of the CR-V police said. The impact caused the CR-V to be propelled into a black 2021 BMW X3, which then collided with a green 2014 Toyota Prius. The Prius then struck a white 2018 Ford F-150, leading to five vehicles in total that were involved in the collision.
The driver of the CR-V, a 58-year-old man from Bethesda, Maryland, was taken to an area hospital via ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries. The front-seat passenger of the CR-V, a 23-year-old woman from Bethesda, Maryland, was taken to an area hospital via ambulance for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the BMW, a 60-year-old man from Baltimore, Maryland, was taken to an area hospital via ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries. The front-seat passenger of the BMW, also a 60-year-old man from Baltimore, Maryland, was taken to an area hospital via ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Prius, a 65-year-old woman from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, refused medical treatment at the scene.
Neither the driver of the F-150, a 56-year-old man from Aberdeen, Maryland, nor the front-seat passenger, a 45-year-old woman from Bel Air, Maryland, were injured.
Troopers recovered beer bottles from the area outside of the 14-year-old’s truck and detected alcohol coming from his breath police said. There were also two passengers in the truck, a 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, both of whom were taken to an area hospital via ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries.
The 14-year-old driver was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. After he received medical treatment, he was taken to Troop 7 and charged with the following offenses:
- Vehicular Assault First Degree (Felony)
- Vehicular Assault Second Degree – 5 counts
- Reckless Driving / Alcohol or Drug Related
- Driving by a Minor After Consumption of Alcohol
- Driving Without a Valid License
- Disregard a Traffic Control Device
The teen was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released to a guardian after posting $3,801 secured bond.