MILLSBORO, DELAWARE (1/7/2015) A 44-year-old Rehoboth Beach man was charged with his third offense DUI after he struck a trooper’s cruiser early today on U.S. 113, state police said.
The crash happened about 12:15 a.m. on DuPont Boulevard (U.S. 113) at Millsboro Highway (Route 24).
Police said Eric T. Biase was driving a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer south on U.S. 113 preparing to turn right onto Route 24. As Biase began to turn, he lost control of the car and struck a trooper’s marked 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV.
The 39-year-old trooper, who was not identified, was stopped at the traffic light facing east on Route 24. After the impact, the Lancer came to a controlled stop on the shoulder just west of the collision, police said.
Police said they detected an odor of alcohol from Biase and also found marijuana in the car’s center console along with a glass pipe.
Biase also was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was being held at Sussex Correctional Institution near Georgetown in lieu of $5,000 secured bond.
A 29-year-old passenger in the Lancer was not injured, nor were either driver, police said.