5-Year-Old Injured in Dirt Bike Crash

Location: 6000 block of Carpenter Bridge Road, Frederica, Delaware

Date of Occurrence: Friday, June 25th, 2010, at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Involved Parties:
Victim: 5-year-old Frederica, Delaware boy
Suspect: James R. Edge, 46, of Frederica

Resume: Yesterday evening, Troopers were called to an address along the 6000 block of Carpenter Bridge Road in Frederica in reference to a motorbike crash with injury.

This investigation revealed the accused James R. Edge was in the yard of the aforementioned property when he was showing his friend’s soe, a 5-year-old boy, how to ride a 70cc dirt bike. It has been alleged that Edge had been drinking alcohol and was impaired while he was explaining to the little boy how to ride the bike.

The boy had the throttle wide open while Edge was holding up the back of the bike as the back wheel was spinning. Edge let go, the back wheel came down and the boy and the bike took off headed right for Carpenter Bridge Road. The bike struck a 1995 Plymouth Neon traveling along Carpenter Bridge Road.

The 5-year-old was thrown from the bike. He was not wearing a helmet and sustained head and leg injuries. He was airlifted from the scene to Christiana Hospital where he was admitted in critical condition.

The Neon was driven by John H. Davis, III, 25, of Smyrna, Delaware. He was found to have been driving on a suspended license. He was cited with Driving While Suspended. He was not injured in the collision.

James Edge was arrested and formally charged with Reckless Endangering 1st (felony) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child (felony). Bail was set at $3,500 unsecured and Mr. Edge was released from custody.