A devastating crash in New Hanover County, North Carolina, has left a 9-year-old boy with life-altering injuries after a driver allegedly under the influence veered off the road and struck him while he sat on his bicycle in his own driveway.
According to the Wilmington Police Department, the incident happened on April 20 in the 600 block of South 15th Street. Authorities say 51-year-old Theodore Gause crossed the centerline while driving and crashed into the child, sending both the boy and the vehicle into a nearby retaining wall.
Police and prosecutors state that Gause had been impaired by multiple substances, including cocaine, opiates, and benzodiazepines, at the time of the crash.
What Happened at the Scene
Officials say the boy was simply sitting on his bicycle in his driveway when the vehicle suddenly veered off the roadway. The impact was so severe that it resulted in the traumatic amputation of the child’s leg, along with other serious injuries.
Emergency responders rushed the child to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where he was hospitalized for critical treatment.
Witnesses at the scene reported that after the crash, Gause exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. He was later located and taken into custody by responding officers.
Charges and Legal Action
Gause is now facing multiple serious charges, including:
- Felony serious injury by vehicle
- Felony hit and run
- Driving while impaired
- Driving with a revoked license
Authorities allege that he initially told investigators he believed he had struck a curb. However, prosecutors say he attempted to flee again after learning that the victim was a child.
Court records indicate that Gause has a prior criminal history described as assaultive in nature. He had recently been released from prison in May 2025, and his parole ended just weeks before the incident.
He is currently being held on a $31 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court on May 7.
Community Impact and Ongoing Concerns
This incident has shaken the local community, raising concerns about impaired driving and public safety — especially in residential neighborhoods where children are often present.
Authorities continue to emphasize the dangers of driving under the influence and the irreversible consequences such actions can have on innocent lives.
The case remains under investigation, and further updates are expected as legal proceedings move forward.
