Delaware State Police have taken a 60-year-old Bethel man into custody on felony charges after he crashed his motorcycle outside a Laurel restaurant while allegedly under the influence for the sixth time.
Officers responded to Tacos Chabelita on Sussex Highway around 9 p.m. Friday evening after receiving reports of a collision in the restaurant’s parking lot. According to investigators, Wade Bowersox was riding a Harley-Davidson when he collided with the passenger side of a parked Ford Explorer.
After the impact, authorities say Bowersox lifted his motorcycle and relocated it behind the restaurant before going inside and sitting down to eat. When troopers found him in the establishment, they noticed indicators that he was impaired.
While officers were escorting Bowersox outside, he tried to hide a small package containing what appeared to be cocaine in one of his motorcycle’s storage compartments, according to police. He was taken into custody without resistance.
A thorough examination of the motorcycle uncovered several items of concern to investigators:
• About 1.68 grams of what is believed to be cocaine
• A digital scale
• More alcoholic beverages
Police records show Bowersox has been convicted of DUI-related offenses five times previously and was operating the motorcycle despite having a suspended license.
Authorities transported Bowersox to Troop 5, where they secured a court order to collect a blood sample. Following his arraignment at Justice of the Peace Court 3, he was sent to Sussex Correctional Institution with bail set at $30,602 cash.
The charges against Bowersox include:
• Felony sixth offense driving under the influence
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Driving with a suspended license
• Additional traffic violations
