Detectives from the New Castle County Police Traffic Services Unit have charged 21-year-old Jymier Hicks of Middletown. The arrest comes after an investigation into the fatal crash that occurred over the weekend in the Village of Bayberry North.
Officials said according to the preliminary investigation, Hicks was behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler, accompanied by three other passengers, when the incident occurred. Official learned that Hicks began performing reckless “doughnuts” while driving in the park, a maneuver that involves spinning the vehicle in tight circles police said Monday. During this time, the Jeep rolled over onto its side, pinning a 20-year-old passenger underneath the vehicle officials said.
First responders, including members of the Middletown and Port Penn Fire Companies, Trooper 4 along with New Castle County Police and Paramedics, responded to the scene in the 400 block of Cicero Xing at around 1:50 on Sunday. Rescue crews managed to move the vehicle and extricate the trapped victim who police have not identified. The injured 20-year-old man was rushed to Christiana Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Alcohol was determined to be a contributing factor in this incident police said Monday. Hicks was transported to NCCPD headquarters and was charged with one felony count of vehicular homicide in the second degree, one felony count of receiving stolen property under $1,500.00, one misdemeanor count of driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, one misdemeanor count of malicious mischief by a motor vehicle, and one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass third degree.
Hicks appeared before Justice of the Peace Court 11 for arraignment and was held in custody and later committed to the Howard R Young Correctional Institution. The court set his bail at $75,000.00 cash.