William S. Smith

DOVER — The Delaware State Police have arrested a Dover man with his fifth offense DUI after he struck two pedestrians, spokesman Master Cpl. Melissa Jaffe said.

Cpl. Jaffe said the incident occurred Saturday at 7:14 p.m., when troopers were dispatched to North Dupont Highway and West Denneys Road for a crash involving two pedestrians. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a 2013 Nissan Altima traveled off of the roadway, struck two pedestrians and a curb, and became disabled on West Denneys Road at the entrance of the Delaware Technical Community College.

The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash, 51-year-old William S. Smith, had fled the scene and was located in the parking lot of the college. Upon contact with Smith, an odor of alcohol was detected and a DUI investigation ensued. A computer check revealed that Smith had four previous DUI convictions, making this his fifth offense.

The pedestrians that were stuck, both 17-year-old females from Dover, were transported to the Bayhealth Kent General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Also in Smith’s vehicle during the crash were two occupants, a 47-year-old male from Dover and a 47-year-old female from Newark. Neither passenger was injured.

Smith was not injured as a result of the crash and was transported back to Troop 9, where he was charged with the following:

• 5th Offense Driving Under the Influence

• Vehicular Assault First Degree (2 counts)

• Reckless Endangering Second Degree (2 counts)

• Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Injury

• Driving While Suspended or Revoked

• Other traffic related offenses

Smith was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 7 and committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $16,675 cash only bond.