LAUREL, Del. - Delaware State Police arrested 64-year-old Graylon Nichols of Seaford for a 6th DUI offense and traffic-related charges Wednesday afternoon.
Police say on Oct. 4 around 2:48 p.m., troopers responded to the intersection of Sussex Highway and Chipmans Rd. in Laurel for a reported hit-and-run crash. When troopers arrived they found Nichols had left the scene of the crash in a Chevrolet Silverado with an undisclosed Delaware registration.
Police say an investigation revealed that Nichols didn't stay in his lane while driving southbound on the highway, which caused him to hit two road signs after leaving the road. His car then crashed into a Jeep Comanche in the median. The driver of the Jeep Comanche, a 65-year-old woman from Laurel, had minor injuries.
According to police, while the crash was being investigated, a trooper patrolling the area of County Seat Highway and Concord Rd. saw Nichols' car and initiated a traffic stop. The trooper smelled alcohol coming from inside the car and noticed that Nichols was not wearing his seatbelt. The trooper also noticed signs of impairment while speaking with Nichols and attempted to test him, but Nichols refused. Nichols was taken into custody. Police say Nichols has been convicted of DUI five times before this. Nichols was charged with the following crimes:
- 6th offense DUI (Felony)
- Vehicular Assault Second
- Numerous traffic-related charges
Nichols was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $6,303 cash bond.