Delaware State Police have arrested a 27-year-old Philadelphia man on felony weapons charges and driving under the influence after his vehicle caught fire along Interstate 495 late Wednesday night.
Shortly before 11 p.m. on June 24, 2026, troopers were dispatched to the northbound lanes of I-495 near East Holly Oak Road after reports came in of a burning vehicle. When they arrived, officers discovered a Subaru Outback completely consumed by flames. They also spotted the driver walking away from the scene and quickly stopped him. That driver was identified as Isaiah Church. A local fire company was called to the scene and put out the blaze.
As troopers investigated the incident, they searched Church and found a loaded 9mm handgun along with two large-capacity magazines on his person. He was taken into custody without any resistance.
Officers noted multiple indicators of impairment and determined that Church had been drinking alcohol. He was transported to Troop 1, where the DUI investigation continued. Church continued to display signs of impairment throughout the process.
Church was arraigned through the Justice of the Peace Court and released on a $6,300 unsecured bond. He faces the following charges:
- Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine (Felony) – 2 counts
- Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
- Possession of a Firearm While Under the Influence
- Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol
- Related Traffic Offenses
