07.21.25
by

DUI SUSPECT CRASHES INTO PARKED POLICE VEHICLES ON ROUTE 141

(Newport, DE 19804) Officers from the New Castle County Division of Police have arrested 40-year-old Francisco Santos of Wilmington in connection with a DUI-related crash.

On Sunday, July 20, 2025, at approximately 3:00 a.m., a New Castle County Police Officer was traveling southbound on Route 141 above East Ayre Street in Newport when he observed a Newport Police Officer actively investigating a collision on the roadway. The New Castle County Officer positioned his fully marked police Tahoe behind the Newport Police vehicle and activated his emergency equipment to provide additional visibility and a safety buffer.

Shortly thereafter, a second New Castle County Police Officer arrived on the scene in another fully marked Tahoe and activated his emergency lights to further enhance the safety perimeter.

At approximately 3:03 a.m., while all three officers were outside their vehicles waiting for a tow truck, a white GMC Yukon driven by Francisco Santos struck the rear of one of the New Castle County Police Tahoes, causing a chain reaction crash that resulted in the second New Castle County Police Tahoe being struck.

Santos was immediately taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released.

Fortunately, none of the Officers were injured during the incident.

After being released from the hospital, Francisco Santos was transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:

  • Three felony counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree.
  • One felony count of criminal mischief $5000 or more damage to property.
  • One misdemeanor count of criminal mischief over $1000, recklessly damaging property.
  • One misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.
  • One misdemeanor count of driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
  • One misdemeanor count of driving while suspended or revoked.
  • One misdemeanor count of operation of an unregistered motor vehicle.
  • One misdemeanor count of careless driving
  • One misdemeanor count of failure to yield/change lane for a stopped vehicle displaying a warning signal.
  • One misdemeanor count of failure to drive a speed appropriate for conditions.

Francisco Santos was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to pay $18,700 secure bail.

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