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NJ Driver Was 10X Over Legal Limit, Going 85 MPH In CT Uber Crash Near University, Police Say

A 19-year-old DUI driver from New Jersey was 10 times over the legal limit and driving at 85 mph when he crashed into an Uber carrying four of his peers from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut last month, officials said.

Tyler Delk

Tyler Delk

Photo Credit: GoFundMe photo/Nichole Nicholls
The scene of the crash. 

The scene of the crash. 

Photo Credit: DoingItLocal.com

Tyler Delk of South Orange, has been charged with assault with a motor vehicle, DUI, reckless driving, and other offenses on Tuesday, Oct. 24 by Fairfield Police for the Friday, Sept. 29 crash on Jefferson Street. 

Delk suffered a brain injury, dissected carotid artery, broken jaw, broken ribs, collapsed lung, and lacerated spleen in the crash, according to a GoFundMe started by his family. The campaign raised more than $70,000 and Delk was in fair condition as of press time.

Delk was operating a 2018 Audi S5 convertible at speeds exceeding 85 mph on Jefferson Street, in Fairfield, CT, Lt. Edward Nook of the Fairfield Police said following an extensive investigation.

Delk lost control of the vehicle and struck a 2021 Toyota Corolla operated by an Uber driver and occupied by four female SHU students, Nook said.

Delk was operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol which was determined to be 10 times the legal limit. In Connecticut, the limit for alcohol for a person under 21 years of age is .02 percent, Nook added.

During a press conference following the crash, Fairfield Police Lt. Michael Paris said Delk appeared to have lost control of the car after hitting a curb.

"As it came around the corner, it appears preliminarily to have kind of lost control in that area of Jefferson Street by the Martire building, at which point the collision occurred with the eastbound vehicle," Paris said.

Delk was arrested and charged in a hospital bed at St. Vincent’s Hospital with:

  • Driving under the influence
  • Reckless driving
  • Five counts of assault with a vehicle
  • Five counts of reckless endangerment

He was released after posting a $250,000 court-set bond and will appear in court when he is medically cleared and released from the hospital.

"The Fairfield Police wish to thank all of those who performed life-saving measures to those involved in this terrible crash on scene and we wish a speedy recovery to everyone," Nook said.

The four students and the Uber driver had been discharged from the hospital by Monday, Oct. 16.

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