Newark – The Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a crash that resulted in an arrest of a Bear area man after he collided with a stopped State Police vehicle.
At approximately 1:08 a.m. this morning, Saturday August 14, 2021, Troopers were dispatched to the area of I95 southbound just south of Salem Church Road overpass for a report of a disabled vehicle in the far right lane that had run out of gas. Two Troopers assigned to Troop 6 barrack responded to the vehicle and positioned both of their patrol Tahoes directly behind the disabled car in the right lane with their emergency lights illuminated.
At approximately 1:34 a.m., a 2018 Nissan Altima, operated by Cody J. Brownlee, 25 of Bear, was traveling southbound on I95 in the far right lane when he struck the rear of a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, occupied by a three-year-veteran of the Delaware State Police. The impact caused the first Tahoe to strike the rear of a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe occupied by another three-year-veteran of the State Police and his K9 partner “Bolt.” The disabled vehicle was not affected by the collision.
The two male Troopers were transported to area hospitals by EMS where they were treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries. K9 “Bolt” was transported to an area animal hospital where he was examined and released without any apparent injuries.
Cody Brownlee (No Photo Available) was transported to Christiana Medical Center where he was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries. Upon his release a DUI investigation ensued and he was charged with the following:
- 2 counts of Vehicular Assault 2nd
- Assault 2nd on a Law Enforcement Animal
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
- Failure to Yield/Change Lanes for Emergency Vehicles
Brownlee was arraigned at JP11 and released on his own recognizance.
The Delaware State Police would like to thank the first responders, Paramedics, Emergency Room staff at all the hospitals, and DelDOT for their assistance during this incident.
I95 southbound was closed at SR 273 for approximately 3.5 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.