Man leads Dewey police on high-speed chase

A Wilmington man faces charges after police said he almost hit three pedestrians while speeding through Dewey Beach Aug. 29.

Dewey Beach Police on patrol about 9:35 p.m. near New Orleans Street and Route 1 saw a black Acura SUV traveling southbound, passing several stopped vehicles and failing to stop at a stop sign. When the motorcycle unit tried to stop the Acura, the driver sped away, police said. 

During the pursuit, police said, the driver, Louis J. Fedele, 29, drove onto the shoulder of Route 1 at speeds estimated between 60 and 70 mph in a posted 25 mph zone. When Fedele reached the intersection of Route 1 and Dickinson Avenue, police said, he disregarded a red traffic signal and narrowly missed striking three pedestrians who were crossing the roadway. The pedestrians were forced to jump out of the path of the vehicle to avoid serious injury or death, police said. 

Fedele continued driving southbound, police said, with speeds in excess of 100 mph. Police finally stopped Fedele near the Indian River Inlet bridge, and he was taken into custody without further incident.

During questioning, police said, Fedele admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages prior to driving and stated he fled police to avoid being arrested for driving under the influence. A blood search warrant was executed, police said, and toxicology results are pending. Fedele was charged with three counts first-degree reckless endangerment, disregarding a police officer signal, driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and other traffic violations. Fedele was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $4,306 secured bail.

This case remains under active investigation, and police ask anyone with information or who was a witness to this incident contact Dewey Beach Police at 302-227-1110.