Lewes – The Delaware State Police have arrested a Lewes man after he crashed his vehicle into a pole and then fled the scene, according to Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier.
Fournier said that the incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. Tuesday March 7, 2017 as Dale Thaxton, 59, was operating a 2011 Kia Sorento on Camp Arrowhead Road in the area of Angola Road.
Thaxton drove off the roadway and struck a utility pole causing damage to the pole and his vehicle, said Fournier. Thaxton, who sustained minor injuries during the incident, was able to free his vehicle from the wreckage.
Shortly after the crash a trooper arrived on scene. The trooper then attempted to stop Thaxton from operating his vehicle. While the trooper was was standing in the roadway next to his fully marked patrol vehicle with emergency lights activated, Thaxton drove directly at the trooper, according to Fournier.
The trooper was was able to move out of the way without being struck and Thaxton continued into Angola Neck Park with the trooper following close behind, said Fournier. Thaxton parked his vehicle in the driveway of his residence, located in the 22000 block of Cypress Drive, and walked to the front door where the trooper attempted to take him into custody.
A brief struggle ensued and Thaxton was able to enter his residence where he continued to resist, according to Fournier. The man was eventually subdued as the trooper deployed his Taser.
Dale Thaxton was transported Beebe Healthcare where he was treated for his injuries and released. He was then taken to Troop 7 where he was charged with 3rd Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (two previous convictions; 11/21/90 and 04/21/97), Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal, Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Collision, Reckless Endangering 1st, Resisting Arrest with Force, Offensive Touching of a Law Enforcement Officer, and various other traffic and criminal related offenses.
He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $13,353.00 secured bond.