Newark Police arrest woman who struck UD officer directing traffic

4:29 p.m., Nov. 16, 2013--The Newark Police have arrested Melinda Dunlap, 29, of Dover for DUI and related charges after she struck a University of Delaware police officer who was directing traffic. She continued driving after striking the officer and then ran into the back of a vehicle stopped in traffic.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:26 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15,  on East Delaware Avenue, just east of South College Avenue. Dunlap was travelling eastbound when she approached a pedestrian crosswalk at The Green, where the UD officer was standing in the crosswalk directing traffic. The officer, who was wearing a police uniform and green traffic vest, directed Dunlap to stop her vehicle to allow pedestrians to cross the roadway. 

Dunlap failed to stop, causing the officer to attempt to move out of the path of her approaching vehicle. As her vehicle passed, it struck the officer in the right arm. Dunlap failed to stop and continued eastbound. The officer chased Dunlap on foot as she continued eastbound. Dunlap then ran into the back of a car that was stopped for traffic near the rear entrance to the Galleria. The UDPD officer then took Dunlap into custody.

Newark Police responded to the scene and found Dunlap under the influence of alcohol. After a DUI investigation, Newark Police charged her with third offense DUI and related charges. She was arraigned through JP Court #11 and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $43,206 cash bail.

The UD Police officer sustained a minor injury to his right elbow and was treated on scene by Aetna Ambulance. Dunlap and the driver of the vehicle she struck were not injured.

Anyone with additional information about this incident should contact Officer William Anderson at 302-366-7110 ext. 469 or william.anderson@cj.state.de.us. Anonymous tips can be texted to 302NPD with the message to TIP411. Information also can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or www.tipsubmit.com, where a reward may be available.