Last evening, James West, a 48-year-old resident of Delmar, Delaware, was arrested by the Delaware State Police on charges of vehicular assault and driving under the influence (DUI) following a five-car collision in Bridgeville.
On June 4, 2023, around 6:50 p.m., troopers responded to a five-car crash at the intersection of Sussex Highway and Redden Road. Upon arriving at the scene, troopers made contact with James West, one of the drivers involved. They discovered that West had failed to stop for traffic on southbound Sussex Highway due to being distracted by his phone according to police. Additionally, troopers found a baggie of suspected heroin and drug paraphernalia in his possession police said. They also observed signs of impairment, leading to West’s arrest.
West’s red Ford Escort collided with a black Dodge Charger and a silver Honda Odyssey, both of which were stationary in traffic officials said. The force of the impact propelled the Charger forward, causing it to strike a gray Chevrolet Silverado that was also stopped. Likewise, the Odyssey was propelled forward and struck a black Kia Telluride that had come to a stop. The driver of the Odyssey, a 45-year-old woman from Salisbury, Maryland, and her 9-year-old passenger, also from Salisbury, Maryland, were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Telluride, a 58-year-old woman from Milford, Delaware, was similarly taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. None of the other drivers involved reported any injuries.
Following his arrest, West was taken to Troop 5 and has been charged with the following offenses:
- Vehicular Assault First Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
- Inattentive Driving
West was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and has been remanded to Sussex Correctional Institution on a secured bond of $3,501.