Wilmington – The Delaware State Police have charged Robert A. Powell, 47, of New Castle with multiple criminal and traffic offenses after he fled the scene of a motor vehicle crash, which seriously injured a Newark woman, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said the incident occurred at approximately 10:48 p.m., Saturday, June 30, 2018, on I-495 southbound in the area of 12th Street, Wilmington. Powell was driving a 2011 Jaguar XJL, southbound on I-495 in the area of 12th Street when he made a series of unsafe lane changes, with his final change from the center to right lane resulting in his vehicle striking the left side of a 2018 BMW X-1, operated by a 31-year-old Newark woman, according to Austin.
After striking the BMW, the Jaguar began to spin and traveled into the I-495 southbound center lane at which time it struck the rear end of a 2010 Toyota, being driven by a 30-year-old Landsdowne, Pennsylvania man. The Jaguar continued to spin before traveling off the right side of the road at which time it struck a concrete barrier before coming to rest on the right shoulder. Both the BMW and Toyota were brought to controlled stops on the right shoulder after the collisions.
After the Jaguar came to a stop, Powell fled on foot, up a grass embankment towards 12th Street. Responding Troopers were provided a description of Powell and were able to locate him on 12th Street, in the area of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, at which time he was taken into custody without incident.
During the investigation of the crash scene Troopers located a 9mm handgun in the driver’s door compartment of Powell’s vehicle along with a fully loaded magazine, said Austin. The magazine was not inserted in the weapon at the time it was recovered, added Austin.
A 56-year-old female passenger in the BMW was transported to the Christiana Hospital with serious injuries. The operator of the BMW was not injured.
The operator and two passengers in the Toyota were not injured.
Powell was treated and released from the Wilmington Hospital for undetermined injuries at which time he was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 1, where he was charged with the following offenses:
- Vehicular Assault 3rd Degree
- Possession of a Firearm While Under the Influence
- Driving Under the Influence
- Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident
- Failure to Report an Accident
- Improper Lane Change
- Inattentive Driving
- Unreasonable Speed
Powell was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and released on $4000.00 unsecured bail.
Breaking Report
Wilmington – Rescue crews from the Wilmington Fire Department have responded to I-495 SB, in the area of 12th Street, for reports of vehicle accent involving injuries.
Witnesses at the scene are reporting that the driver of a vehicle has fled the scene on foot. Police are responding to search for that driver.
One person is reportedly suffering from head injuries and is en route to the hospital.
Developing
