On May 25, 2025, at approximately 9:36 p.m., Milford Police was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident involving injury.  The investigation revealed that a Ford Focus rear-ended a GMC Sierra at a high rate of speed while traveling westbound on Old Shawnee Rd west of Evergreen Ln. Milford, DE, resulting in the Ford Focus colliding with the front porch of a residence in the 5800 block of Old Shawnee Road.
 
The operator of the Ford Focus was identified as Thomas Clendaniel, 37 of Lewes, DE, who fled from the vehicle northbound behind houses on Old Shawnee Road.  Delaware State Police Aviation, Milford PD’s K9 Unit and officers canvassed the area for Clendaniel, but were unable to locate him.  As a result of the accident a passenger in the Ford Focus and the driver of the GMC Sierra sustained injuries and were treated and released.  During the investigation, officers learned that Clendaniel was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.
 
Several hours later, Milford Police received a call for a suspicious person in the unit block of Sunset Ln, which was near the accident scene.  As officers were responding to Sunset Ln, they located the subject and were able to positively identify the subject as Clendaniel.
 
Clendaniel was taken into custody and charged with:
- 6^th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Felony)
- Breach of Conditions of Bond (Felony)
- Vehicular Assault 2^nd Degree
- Vehicular Assault 3^rd Degree
- Numerous Traffic Violations

Clendaniel had a presentment through the Justice of the Peace Court 7, where he was committed to the Department of Correction on $53,605.00 cash bail.  He was issued a no contact order with the victims in this case.  Clendaniel will appear at a later date in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas for a preliminary hearing.

Released by Public Information Officer, Sgt. Timothy Maloney
Released: 05/30/2025