Police: Man with 7th DUI blamed elephant for crash

NEWPORT, Del. - October 1, 2012 (WPVI) -- A man from New Castle County, Delaware is facing his 7th DUI charge after, police say, he claimed to have crashed while trying to avoid an elephant.

Samuel Phipps, 31, of New Castle, was arrested after the wreck on Interstate 295 southbound near Route 141 in Newport.

Investigators say Phipps was driving his Land Rover off the left side of the roadway and hit the guardrail.

State troopers responded and found Phipps, who appeared to be impaired.

According to police, Phipps told them he had smoked marijuana and "dipped" into PCP before driving.

Phipps also allegedly told the driver that he had swerved to avoid an elephant he saw running in front of his vehicle.

Phipps was charged with Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of a Drug. Police say he had six previous charges for the same offense.

Phipps was ordered to be held on $21,000 secured bond.

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delaware, new castle county, DUI, accident, drugs, local/state

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