Laurel man arrested on numerous charges following high-speed chase

LAUREL, Del. – Laurel Police arrested a man following a high speed chase Thursday evening.

According to police, the investigation began just after 5:30 p.m., when an officer on patrol observed a gold Ford Expedition traveling westbound on Georgetown Road with an obstructed registration plate. The officer subsequently tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to stop and reportedly continued driving at speeds well in excess of the posted 35 mph then 50 mph speed limits. The officer pursued the vehicle as it passed multiple drivers left of the double yellow line and on the shoulder of the roadway.

The vehicle continued fleeing recklessly as it approached the intersection of Bethel Road, where traffic was stopped at the stop sign. The vehicle again passed over the double yellow line, failed to stop at the stop sign, and veered into a field. The driver tried to regain control as the vehicle fishtailed through the field, crossing back over Bethel Road and crashing into a tree.

The driver, identified as 22-year-old Abien Lemus, was taken into custody after the vehicle became disabled. It was learned that Lemus did not have a valid driver’s license, and the vehicle was not registered and had no insurance. He was also found to have an active felony warrant for an unrelated incident out of Delaware State Police Troop 5.

Lemus was charged with numerous misdemeanor traffic offenses, as well as felony disregarding a police office signal. He was released on his own recognizance.