On 5/19/23 at approximately 12:59am, a Laurel Police Department officer on patrol observed a black Harley Davidson motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed Northbound on Sussex Highway in the area of County Seat Highway. The motorcycle’s speed was measured at 88MPH in the 55MPH zone.
The officer caught up to the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. In response to the officer’s lights and sirens, the motorcycle accelerated and attempted to elude the officer. The pursuit continued Eastbound on Waller Road while the operator drove the motorcycle across the center line into on-coming lanes. The officer discontinued the pursuit in the interest of public safety after the pursuit reached speeds of approximately 100MPH.
Shortly after discontinuing the pursuit, Laurel PD and Delaware State Police responded to Waller Road approximately one mile East of the location where the pursuit had been terminated. Responding units located the same motorcycle in the ditch on the side of the roadway, after having evidently been involved in a single-vehicle collision. Police units utilized the Delaware State Police Aviation and K9 unit in an attempt to locate the operator and ensure he was not injured in the collision, however due to the time lapse from the time of the pursuit the subject was not located.
Laurel PD opened an investigation into the incident and identified a suspect. Probable cause was then established to make an arrest in this case.
The driver was identified as Edward W Lang III (31) of Laurel, DE, was arrested and charged with the following crimes:
-Disregarding Police Officer Signal (Class G Felony)
-Resisting Arrest (Class A Misdemeanor)
-Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Collision (Misdemeanor)
-Driving While Suspended/Revoked (Misdemeanor)
-Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor)
-Failure to Have Required Insurance (Misdemeanor)
-Failure to Transfer Title and Registration
-No Motorcycle License
-Related traffic offenses
Lang was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 2 on the above charges and released on his own recognizance.
Anyone with information about criminal activity is asked to contact the Laurel Police Department as 302-875-2244.