Dewey Beach Police Department
105 Rodney Ave.
Dewey Beach, DE 19971

NEWS RELEASE

Complaint # 89-09-001823 08/06/2009

On August 6, 2009, several Dewey Beach Police Officers noticed a maroon 1995 Ford Contour traveling north on Coastal Highway at a high rate of speed. The officers estimated the vehicle was traveling between 80-90 mph. A marked Dewey Beach Police Car was parked on Swedes St., Ocean Block, and also observed the vehicle. As it passed the officer entered Coastal Highway and observed the vehicle enter the curve at St. Route 1 A. Due to the speed of the vehicle, the operator was unable to negotiate the curve and began to skid. The vehicle then entered the shoulder of the roadway colliding with a curb and went airborne rotating 180 degrees in the air. Landing in the parking lot of the East of Maui Surf Shop it continued backwards at a high rate of speed. The vehicle finally stopped when it collided with a East of Maui van and the residence next to the business. At the time of the collision, the manager of East of Maui (WM 29 of Dewey Beach) was standing next to the van and thankfully was not injured.

When the Dewey Beach Police Officers arrived to the scene moments after the collision, the operator was attempting to flee on foot and was immediately apprehended. He was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to Beebe Hospital where he was treated for minor cuts and abrasions. A blood sample was retrieved to determine the operator’s blood alcohol level due to suspected intoxication. The operator was charged and transported to the Justice of the Peace Court 3. He was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution in default of a $8502.00 cash bail only bond.


Defendant

Richard Walls (WM 23 of Bear, DE)

Charges


- Reckless Endangering First Degree Class E Felony

-Third offense DUI Class G felony

-Criminal Mischief Class G Felony

-Speed Greater then reasonable Misdemeanor

- Failure to have insurance ID in possession Misdemeanor

Sgt. Clifford Dempsey
Dewey Beach Police Department