Crash leads to 6th DUI charge for Lewes man

MILFORD, Del. – Milford Police say a man was arrested on his 6th DUI following a crash Sunday night.

Shortly after 9:30 p.m., officers were called to a reported crash in the area of Old Shawnee Road, west of Evergreen Lane. Further investigation revealed that a Ford Focus reportedly rear ended a GMC Sierra at a high rate of speed, subsequently causing the Ford to crashed into the front porch of a residence in the 5800 block of Old Shawnee Road.

The driver of the Ford allegedly fled from the vehicle behind houses on Old Shawnee Road. Crews searched the area for the driver, identified as 37-year-old Thomas Clendaniel, but were not successful.

A passenger in the Ford and the driver of the GMC were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.

It was further learned that Clendaniel was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Several hours later, police responded to a call of a suspicious person in the unit block of Sunset Lane, near the accident scene. The subject was identified as Clendaniel and was subsequently taken into custody.

Clendaniel was charged with 6th offense DUI, breach of conditions of bond, second and third degree vehicular assault, and numerous traffic violations. He was held on a $53,605 cash bail.