A 62-year-old Middletown woman was injured and her perpetrator under arrest following a road rage incident that occurred in a Kohl’s parking lot Tuesday morning.
NEWARK (DE): Police say it was Tuesday around 9:00 a.m., that a 62-year-old Middletown woman was stopped on Pulaski Highway in the area of Perch Creek Drive in Newark, waiting to make a turn into the Kohls Department Store parking lot, when suddenly a vehicle behind her became impatient and began blowing the vehicle’s horn at her. Police were later able to identify that vehicle as a Dodge Charger and say it was being operated by Dashyra L. Thomas, 23 of Newark.
According to police spokesman, Michael Austin, the victim eventually proceeded into the Kohls parking lot and Thomas followed. Once both vehicles were stopped in the lot Thomas began yelling at the victim. Both subjects exited their vehicles and then became engaged in a verbal altercation. Thomas then struck the victim multiple times in the face with her closed fist, causing injury to her left eye and nose.
Luckily, some good Samaritans were nearby who witness the altercation, and intervened by separating the two. It was then that Thomas fled the scene in the Dodge Charger. When police arrived, the victim refused medical treatment.
Austin said, based on investigative leads provided by multiple witnesses Troopers were able to locate Thomas and the Dodge Charger at her residence. After positively identifying Thomas as the subject involved in the assault Troopers advised her that she was under arrest, but apparently, Thomas wasn’t done the fighting and attempted to flee back into her residence, despite multiple verbal commands by Troopers to stop.
After a brief struggle, Thomas was handcuffed and eventually transported to Troop 2 where she was formally charged with one count each of Assault 2nd Degree, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct.
A further investigation revealed that Thomas’ 4-year-old son was an occupant in her vehicle during the incident, so she was also charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Thomas was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on $4000.00 unsecured bond.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us
