Delaware State Police vehicles hit during Wednesday night investigation

HARBESON, Del. – Delaware State Police say three parked police vehicles were hit during a burglary investigation Wednesday night.

We’re told that three troopers responded to a residence on Harbeson Road at around 10:45 p.m. for a reported burglary in progress. A fully marked and occupied DSP 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe was parked on the east edge of Harbeson Road in a private driveway, facing east. An unmarked and unoccupied DSP 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe was parked on the northbound shoulder facing north, slightly behind the 2019 vehicle, with no emergency equipment activated. A third DSP vehicle, a full marked and unoccupied 2018 Tahoe was parked on the northbound shoulder facing north, behind the 2020 Tahoe, with the rear emergency equipment activated.

A 2000 Chrysler LHS passenger vehicle was driving northbound on Harbeson Road, approaching all three parked Delaware State Police vehicles. For unknown reasons, the driver drifted off of the east edge of the roadway, causing the Chrysler to hit the back of the 2017 Tahoe. As a result, the front of the 2017 Tahoe hit the back of the 2020 Tahoe, and the 2020 Tahoe was then forced into the right side of the occupied 2019 Tahoe.

The trooper occupying the 2019 Tahoe was not injured in the crash.

The 62-year-old Lewes man who was driving the Chrysler was taken by ambulance to an area hospital and admitted with non-life-threatening injuries. He was charged with inattentive driving, failure to maintain lane, and expired registration.