Delaware State Police arrested 22-year-old Thomas Casey of West Chester, Pennsylvania, yesterday afternoon following a pursuit that spanned multiple jurisdictions.
Officials said on February 14, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m., troopers were notified that the New Castle County Police Department was pursuing a black BMW with a Pennsylvania registration traveling southbound over the Senator William V. Roth Jr. Bridge after the vehicle was observed traveling on a bare rim. Troopers joined the chase as the BMW continued south on State Route 1 (SR1), entering Middletown and Townsend. It failed to stop despite police commands.
As the pursuit continued, vehicle parts flew off the BMW, posing a hazard to motorists. At one point, a metal object hit the hood of a marked DSP vehicle, tearing the middle of the hood. Moments later, the BMW’s metal brake caliper detached and crashed into the windshield of another DSP vehicle, narrowly missing the trooper inside.
Approaching Dover, the suspect’s speed increased significantly, further endangering the public. A trooper deployed stop sticks on SR1 near Frederica to bring the pursuit to a safe conclusion. The BMW hit the stop sticks but then swerved toward the trooper standing on the right shoulder. The trooper was able to avoid being hit by running toward a concrete barrier.
Further south, near Bowers Beach Road, another trooper attempted to deploy stop sticks, but once again, the BMW swerved toward him, forcing him to run toward a concrete barrier to avoid being hit.
As the vehicle merged onto Exit 86 toward Frederica, it ran off the roadway, colliding with a traffic sign before crashing into a utility pole in front of Frederica Pizza. Casey got out of the car and attempted to run away on Market Street, but troopers quickly apprehended him. He resisted arrest, causing minor injuries to troopers and damage to their uniforms. Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene, and Casey refused medical treatment.
Officials said Troopers observed continued signs of impairment, and Casey was taken to Troop 3, where a legal blood draw was conducted. Following the investigation, he was charged with the below-listed crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $50,877 cash bond.
Assault 2nd Degree Injure L/E Officer- 2 counts (Felony)
Reckless Endanger 1st Degree- 4 counts (Felony)
Resisting Arrest with Force (Felony)
Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal (Felony)
Criminal Mischief Over $1000
Driving Under the Influence of a Drug
Additional Traffic-Related Offenses
Initial reports from the crash scene indicated that Trooper’s thought the driver was a woman but later realized that he was a male.