UPDATE NAMES AND AGE CORRECTION

NEWS RELEASE
DELAWARE STATE POLICE
Superintendent Colonel Robert M. Coupe
Presented by Public Information Officer Cpl/3 Bruce W. Harris
P.O. Box 430| Dover, DE 19903

DSP News Release: Georgetown Family Perishes after Early Morning Crash

Location: RT 30 Isaacs road ½ mile N/O RT 16 Milton, Delaware

DATE and TIME: Sunday August 23, 2009, 7:36 A.M.

Victim(s):
John B. Ward-33 of the 27000 block of Empire Street Georgetown, Delaware (Father) Deceased
Joy L. Ward-32 of the 27000 block of Empire Street Georgetown, Delaware (Mother) Deceased
Sarah Ward-14 of the 27000 block of Empire Street Georgetown, Delaware (Daughter) Deceased
Hailey Ward-8 of the 27000 block of Empire Street Georgetown, Delaware (Daughter) Critical condition Christiana Hospital Wilmington, Delaware
Suspect(s):
Darien Custis-22 of the 200 block Ermine Drive New Castle, Delaware

Charge(s):
3 Counts of Vehicular Homicide
Vehicular Assault

Vehicle(s):
1994 Mercedes S 420 driven by Darien Custis
2007 Toyota Camry driven by John B. Ward

Resume:
Delaware State Police early Sunday morning August 23, 2009 were on scene of a horrific crash which claimed the lives of a Georgetown, Delaware family. State Police responded to RT 30 Isaacs road approximately ½ mile N/O SR 16 Milton Delaware to investigate a two vehicle crash which claimed the lives of 3 family members.

Darien Custis was driving his 1994 Mercedes S420 S/B on Isaacs road RT 30 and John B. Ward was driving his 2007 Toyota Camry N/B Isaacs road Milton, Delaware. Custis was inattentive in his driving and veered into the N/B lane toward the Toyota Camry. The Camry driver John Ward veered to his right and collided head on with the Mercedes. Both vehicles basically veered in the same direction. The Mercedes veered left, while the Toyota Camry veered right.

As a result of the crash three occupants of the Camry perished from injuries sustained in the crash. Joy L. Ward the mother was seated in the front right seating position restrained properly. Sarah Ward the daughter was seated in the rear left seating position restrained properly. John Ward the father was the operator restrained properly. Hailey Ward-3 the daughter was sitting on the lap of Joy Ward and was unrestrained. Hailey initially was taken to Beebe Hospital however has been flown to AI Dupont Children’s hospital in Wilmington.

Delaware State Police as a result of their investigation have charged Darien Custis with 3 Counts of Vehicular Homicide and 1 count of Vehicular Assault. Custis was remanded to Sussex Correctional Center in lieu of $16000.00 cash bail.

Darien Custis