BERLIN — Six motorcycles were involved in a pile-up on eastbound Route 90 at the St. Martin’s River Bridge last Saturday evening sending several riders to area hospitals including one airlifted with a serious head injury.
Shortly before 6 p.m. last Saturday during the height of Bike Week in the resort area, a motorcycle driven by Richard Allen Smith, 52, was heading east on Route 90 near the St. Martin’s River Bridge when it slowed for traffic in front of him. A second motorcycle driven by James Fraser, 28, then collided with the first motorcycle. Fraser lost control of the bike and crashed in front of another motorcycle.
A fourth motorcycle abruptly slowed to avoid the first collision and struck a fifth motorcycle at the scene of the incident. The female passenger on the fourth motorcycle, identified as Jennifer Lynn Wyles, 24, was ejected from the bike. In an effort to avoid the crashes, a fifth and sixth motorcycle collided at the scene.
The driver of the first motorcycle, Smith, was airlifted to PRMC in Salisbury with a head injury. The driver of the third motorcycle in the accident, Phillips, was transported to PRMC by Ocean Pines EMS with unknown injuries. The fourth motorcycle’s passenger, Wyles, was transported to PRMC with neck and leg injuries. The driver of the fifth motorcycle involved, Michael Belt, 48, was transported to PRMC by Ocean Pines EMS with unknown injuries. No charges have been filed.
Berlin Trespassing Charges
BERLIN — Six area locals were charged with trespassing this week after being caught climbing on the towers at a Perdue feed mill in Berlin on Monday.
Around 10:40 p.m. on Monday, Berlin Police were dispatched to the Perdue Feed Mill on Bryan Ave. in reference to individuals climbing on the tall towers. When officers arrived, they observed six individuals climbing down from the main tower. The individuals were detained and identified as Devin Frederick, 19, of Berlin; Kyle Hill, 20, of Berlin; Julienne Baptiste, 18, of Ocean City; Avery Parker, 18, of Berlin; Kevin Ladd, 18, of Berlin; and a juvenile. Each of the suspects was issued a criminal citation for trespassing.
Police this week are reminding all citizens to stay away from industrial areas, utilities and railroad areas.
Pines Fire Under Investigation
OCEAN PINES — The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office this week is investigating a residential house fire in Ocean Pines early last Sunday morning that appears to have originated in an outdoor hot tub.
Shortly before 2 a.m. last Sunday, a fire was reported at a residence on Charleston Rd. in Ocean Pines. Firefighters from the Ocean Pines, Showell, Berlin and Bishopville Fire companies responded and first arriving units reported fire showing from the rear and roof area of the dwelling. The residence was occupied at the time, but all occupants were able to exit safely before fire companies arrived on the scene.
Firefighters remained on the scene for roughly six hours attempting to contain the blaze and conduct overhaul operations. The preliminary investigation revealed the fire originated on a rear screened porch and quickly extended up the exterior vinyl siding to the attic area. The fire originated near a hot tub located on the screened-in porch. The cause is listed as undetermined and the investigation is ongoing this week.
Assault Suspects Sought
BERLIN — Berlin Police this week are looking for the suspects who assaulted a man in the parking lot of an apartment complex last week and stole his cellular phone.
Around 1:30 a.m. last Thursday, Berlin Police responded to an apartment complex on Flower Street for a reported assault. Officers met with the victim, who told police he had been approached by three unidentified males who began to assault him and stole his cell phone. According to the 47-year-old victim, one suspect was described as a male approximately 6’ tall with dreadlocks and wearing a baseball cap. The other two suspects were described as around 5’6” each with light complexions.
The investigation was ongoing this week. Anyone with information is urged to contact Berlin Police at 410-641-1332, or the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation at 410-352-3476.
Dog In Car Yields
Child Support Scofflaw
BERLIN — A dog locked in a vehicle at the Wal-Mart on Route 50 near Berlin last week led to the arrest of an alleged child support scofflaw inside the store.
Last Friday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a call from the Wal-Mart on Route 50 for a reported dog locked in a vehicle in the parking lot. The deputy located the dog locked in the vehicle and went inside the store to attempt to find the operator of the vehicle, identified as Bryan Christopher Hazard, 28, of Berlin.
The officer located Hazard in the store and was able to determine the suspect was wanted on an active Worcester County Circuit Court warrant for failure to appear for a child support case. Hazard was arrested and committed to the Worcester County Jail on a $1,000 bond. The dog was freed from the car and was turned over to a family member.
Warrant Sworn For
Drunk Driving Spree
SNOW HILL — A Greenwood, Del. man was arrested on 67 different citations in July after an alleged drunk-driving ride through downtown Ocean City during which he nearly struck several pedestrians on the sidewalk at different times and caused at least two accidents including one with injuries failed to appear for trial in District Court last week and had a warrant sworn out for his arrest.
Around 9:15 p.m. on July 9, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to Robin Drive to investigate a reported truck with two flat tires. The driver, later identified as Michael K. Hall, 43, of Greenwood, Del., quickly exited his vehicle and attempted to flee, but didn’t realize he had been blocked in by police. Hall told police he had made a mistake and that he drank too much, according to police reports. The officer examined Hall’s vehicle and determined it had no tires on the passenger side and extensive body damage.
Hall, who appeared intoxicated, refused to perform any field sobriety tests. A warrant check revealed Hall was wanted in Delaware for burglary and other charges. At that point, Hall allegedly threatened to kill the OCPD officer and other officers, telling police he would “snipe” them. A search of Hall’s vehicle revealed an empty pistol holster with blanks, binoculars, a spotting scope and a rifle with a scope attached. Also found in the vehicle were several knives.
Hall refused to cooperate and was arrested for driving under the influence. When he was transported for booking, he refused to give his name or age, refused a breath test and refused to sign any paperwork and was generally uncooperative, according to police reports.
Meanwhile, the arresting officer went back to the 20th Street area and found the block was without power. The officer also discovered Hall’s alleged drunk-driving spree left several accidents and collisions in its wake. Witnesses told police Hall had struck a BMW causing injuries to a passenger. Hall then left the roadway onto the sidewalk crowded with pedestrians and struck a city-owned sign. Hall then struck a parked Cadillac, causing that vehicle to strike an unidentified truck.
Hall allegedly continued down the sidewalk, striking two trees and nearly hitting several more pedestrians. Hall then collided with a city-owned power box and a Delmarva Power transformer, knocking out electric service to the entire block. Hall then entered northbound Baltimore Ave. before turning onto 23rd Street where he passed a Honda on the left. Hall then attempted to turn right onto Philadelphia Ave., but struck the Honda. Hall then drove onto the sidewalk again, just missing several pedestrians. He then struck a fence owned by Old Pro Golf.
According to police reports, after all of those crashes and collisions, Hall never stopped to provide personal information, failed to check on injured parties and “had disregard for human life as well as his own,” according to the police report. The report also stated Hall would have fled the scene if given the opportunity and his vehicle had not been disabled.
Hall’s case was scheduled for trial in District Court last week but he failed to appear and had a warrant sworn out for his arrest.