Lewes man faces fifth DUI charge
A Lewes man faces his fifth driving under the influence charge following a May 19 stop on Route 9.
About 1 p.m., a trooper observed a blue Honda Accord accelerating and passing several vehicles without signaling, as the driver headed westbound on Route 9 near the intersection at Dairy Farm Road, said Sr. Cpl. Leonard DeMalto of the Delaware State Police.
The trooper stopped the car after the driver, Louis Morelli, 69, nearly caused an accident at the intersection of Dairy Farm Road and Beaver Dam Road, DeMalto said. After contacting Morelli, the trooper detected signs of impairment and took Morelli into custody for DUI, DeMalto said, and a computer check showed that Morelli has four prior convictions for DUI.
Morelli was taken to Troop 7 and charged with felony fifth-offense DUI and numerous traffic violations. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $7,000 secured bond.
