Ohio man charged with DUI following Route 1 median fire

An Ohio man is facing driving under the influence charges, after he apparently was found to be driving a vehicle that was on fire.

Delaware State Police say around 5:55 PM on Wednesday, 21-year-old Christopher Nagel, was driving a 1999 Acura CL northbound on Korean War-Veterans Memorial Highway -Route 1, near Exit 114. According to the report, as the vehicle was traveling down the roadway, the car caught fire, and then went into the median, where it stopped momentarily.

State Police say a Trooper nearby heard the call for a fire, and responded to the scene within minutes, and found the vehicle still in motion and ablaze, trying to drive away. The Trooper was apparently able to look inside, and see Nagel, unresponsive, and with his foot on the accelerator. P

olice say the Trooper, with the help of bystanders, used a shovel from the patrol car, to smash the front windshield, in order to get the driver out. According to the report, it was at that time that Nagel came to, and put the vehicle in reverse, in an apparent attempt to drive away again. Police say the Trooper continued to try to get him to get out of the vehicle, as the median continued to be engulfed in flames.

Nagel apparently eventually stopped the car, and got out, but attempted to evade the Trooper as they tried to take him into custody. Police say several witnesses were able to hold down the suspect, until the Trooper could make the arrest.

Nagel was taken to Troop 9 in Odessa where he was cited for driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless endangering first degree, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, failure to have insurance, and driving an unsafe motor vehicle. He was later released on a $6,025 unsecured bond.

State Police say the Smyrna Fire Department responded to the scene to extinguish the fire.