Middletown Man Arrested for Alleged 11th DUI Following Collision with Police Vehicle

James ThorpeJames Thorpe /Submitted Image

MIDDLETOWN, DE — A Middletown resident, 53-year-old James Thorpe, is facing multiple charges, including one for alleged driving under the influence, following a traffic incident on Sunday, November 24, 2024.

At around 3:27 p.m., a New Castle County Police Officer was stopped at a red light on Bayview Road near Route 13 when their patrol vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe, was reportedly struck by a red Dodge Ram. According to authorities, the driver of the Dodge, later identified as Thorpe, reversed their vehicle and fled the scene, heading northbound on Route 13. The Officer pursued the suspect, who allegedly failed to obey traffic signals before pulling into a Wawa parking lot at Boyd’s Corner. Thorpe was apprehended at that location.

Upon taking Thorpe into custody, the responding Officer reported observing signs of impairment. A subsequent background check revealed Thorpe had nine prior DUI convictions. Thankfully, the Officer involved in the collision was not injured.

Thorpe was later transported to New Castle County Police headquarters, where he was charged with one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol, along with six additional charges, including:

  • Felony counts for disregarding a police officer’s signal and noncompliance with recognizance conditions
  • Misdemeanor counts for leaving the scene of a property collision and driving with a suspended or revoked license
  • Traffic offenses for limitations on turning and failure to continuously signal.

Following his arraignment by Justice of the Peace Court 11, Thorpe was unable to post a $36,200 cash bail and was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution.

Authorities emphasize that Thorpe, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates may follow as the case develops.

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