West Virginia man charged in Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach crashes

A West Virginia man faces charges after police say he caused damage driving through Bethany Beach Oct. 12, before crashing in Dewey Beach.

Bethany Beach police officers responded to the area of Route 1 and Parkwood Street at 1 a.m. for a hit-and-run motor vehicle collision, and learned a pickup truck with West Virginia registration struck a light pole and several street signs along the center median while traveling north. After striking these objects, police said, the truck continued north on Route 1, and Bethany Beach police issued a be on the lookout for the truck. Dewey Beach police found the truck after it was involved in another motor vehicle collision, and they arrested Mark Beddow, 42, in connection with several criminal and traffic-related charges. The driver and a passenger were both treated at a nearby hospital and released, where a driving-under-the-influence investigation was performed on Beddow.

Beddow was charged with first-degree reckless endangering, three counts of criminal mischief under $1,000, DUI, third-degree vehicular assault, reckless driving and other traffic violations. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released on unsecured bond.