The Delaware State Police have obtained an arrest warrant for 36-year-old Angel Morales-Ortiz of Georgetown in connection with a series of crashes that left a Seaford man seriously injured Friday evening.
According to investigators, the incidents began at approximately 7:30 p.m. on June 19 when Morales-Ortiz, driving a Jeep Comanche, was traveling northbound on Middleford Road approaching Old Furnace Road. As he turned onto eastbound Old Furnace Road, the Jeep crossed into the westbound lane and sideswiped a Ford F-150 that was stopped at the intersection.
Police said Morales-Ortiz left the scene and continued eastbound on Old Furnace Road at a high rate of speed while committing multiple traffic violations. At the intersection of Coverdale Road, the Jeep reportedly backed into the front of a Toyota Camry before maneuvering around stopped traffic and continuing eastbound.
The series of events ended near Cokesbury Road when the Jeep crossed into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a Ford Fusion. The Fusion’s driver, a 20-year-old Seaford man, was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the Toyota, a 25-year-old woman from Bishopville, Maryland, and her passengers were not injured. The driver of the Ford F-150, a 33-year-old Milford man, and his passenger were also uninjured.
Troopers contacted Morales-Ortiz at the scene and reported observing multiple signs of impairment. He was flown by the Delaware State Police Aviation Section to a hospital with serious injuries. During a search of the Jeep, investigators said they found multiple open containers of alcohol. A records check also showed Morales-Ortiz’s driver’s license was suspended. Troopers subsequently obtained a warrant for a blood sample while he was being treated at the hospital.
Upon his release, Morales-Ortiz is expected to be charged with first-degree vehicular assault, two counts of leaving the scene of a property damage collision, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while suspended or revoked, and multiple related traffic offenses.
