Police: Delaware man charged with fifth DUI after hitting cop car

Manuel Hernandez-Raya, 62, was reported by a concerned motorist for allegedly swerving his car across Kennett Pike.
Credit: Delaware State Police

Delaware State Police Monday night arrested a Wilmington man and charged him with what investigators say is his fifth DUI after he allegedly rolled his car backward and hit a trooper’s patrol vehicle.

Police said a concerned motorist called 911 shortly before 10:15 p.m. to report a suspected drunk driver operating a 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier south on Kennett Pike.

The car was allegedly swerving across all of the lanes and crossing the median.

A trooper working a construction assignment in the area attempted to stop the car on Kennett Pike near Presidential Drive, but the vehicle allegedly continued driving south.

Authorities said the vehicle eventually turned right onto North DuPont Road and came to a stop.

Two troopers ordered the driver, 62-year-old Manuel Hernandez-Raya, to exit the vehicle.

Hernandez-Raya instead allegedly raised his hands while still seated in the car, causing the vehicle to roll backwards and strike the trooper’s patrol car.

The man was then taken into custody and charged with a fifth-offense DUI, driving with a suspended or revoked license and numerous other traffic violations.

Hernandez-Raya was jailed at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institute on $8,500 cash bail.