A Hockessin man, accused of hitting and killing a cyclist with his car and fleeing the scene, is now accused of being under the influence of alcohol. According to one of his co-workers, the suspect drove away from a nearby restaurant after consuming multiple alcoholic beverages. At the trial, one of the driver’s co-workers testified that she ate and drank with the suspect hours before the tragedy at a local restaurant.
The incident occurred in September of 2014 and the trial is ongoing. The latest information indicates how important it is to obtain skilled counsel from the very start of a manslaughter case. The suspect called police the day after the incident and reported that he’d heard of the tragedy but was sure he had only hit trees or a deer as he drove that night. He should have discussed his concerns with an attorney before calling the police to report any thoughts related to the crash. He is also charged with child endangerment because his two young sons were in the car at the time he allegedly struck the cyclist. Anyone facing the weight of such charges should contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect their constitutional rights and minimize their risk of the most severe penalties. They should do this before they speak to anyone about a possible crime.