TOWNSEND, DE — A Wilmington man faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after New Castle County police alleged that his conduct contributed to another person suffering a serious injury during an incident in a wooded area near Route 13.
According to the New Castle County Division of Police, officers responded at approximately 12:30 p.m. July 28 to the area of Route 13 near Anchor Inn Road for a reported medical emergency.
Police said officers found a vehicle several hundred yards into a wooded area and discovered that one of its occupants had suffered a serious injury. Officers applied a tourniquet and began providing emergency aid while requesting medical personnel.
Because of the vehicle’s remote location, officers drove it to Route 13 to bring the victim closer to responding emergency personnel, according to police. The victim was then transported to an area hospital for further treatment.
While officers were assisting the victim, another person at the scene, later identified as 47-year-old John Ballach of Wilmington, allegedly drove away before police could determine his involvement.
A short time later, police were notified that Ballach had reportedly crashed his vehicle on Route 1 near Bayview Road and left the scene. Officers from several agencies searched wooded areas near Routes 1 and 13 but did not locate him at that time.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Unit subsequently determined that Ballach had allegedly communicated with the victim over an extended period and engaged in conduct that contributed to the victim’s injuries. Investigators further allege that Ballach threatened and harassed the victim, caused significant emotional distress and provided items connected to the incident after meeting with the victim in Townsend.
On July 30, detectives executed a search warrant at Ballach’s residence on Harlan Boulevard in Wilmington. Police allege that Ballach attempted to conceal himself from officers before he was taken into custody.
Ballach was charged with one felony count each of possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, promoting suicide and disregarding a police officer’s signal. He also faces four misdemeanor counts of harassment, two misdemeanor counts of terroristic threatening and one misdemeanor count each of resisting arrest, criminal mischief and reckless driving, along with a traffic violation involving passing a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.
According to police, Ballach was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $70,000 cash bail.
Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for immediate assistance.
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