State Police: DUI suspect says he crashed SUV after trying to avoid elephant

A Delaware State trooper has arrested a New Castle man for  his  seventh DUI, after telling the officer he was attempting to avoid an elephant.
By Aaron Logan / Foter

State Police reported Samuel Phipps, 31, of New Castle, was driving a red 1998 Land Rover on Interstate-295 southbound. He drove the vehicle off of the left side of the roadway and the vehicle struck the left guardrail, just south of the ramp to State Route 141 northbound. 

The trooper who  went to the scene of the accident talked to Phipps. According to a State Police release, Phipps  admitted to smoking marijuana that had been dipped in PCP prior to getting into the SUV.  Phipps  told the trooper  the accident was a result of   swerving to avoid an elephant running in the path of his vehicle.

Phipps was charged with 7^th Offense DUI and Failure to Have Required Insurance. He was taken  to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $21,000 secured bond.