Theodore Gause Arrested in Wilmington DUI Accident
A 9-year-old child suffered an amputated leg in the hit-and-run collision
A 9-year-old child suffered an amputated leg in a hit-and-run DUI crash in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Saturday, April 18, according to the Wilmington Police Department.
Theodore Gause, 51, faces multiple charges including felony serious injury by vehicle and felony hit-and-run. Officers arrested him shortly after he fled the scene of the collision.
He remains in custody. Court documents show the driver has a lengthy criminal history, including prior convictions for hit-and-run, driving with a revoked license, and a habitual felon designation dating back to 2004.
A judge denied bond during his initial processing. His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
The crash remains under investigation. Police have not released the name of the injured child.
How will the criminal charges against Gause impact the investigation?
For the parents of a young child facing life-altering injuries, the criminal justice system is only the first step toward accountability. While police pursue the felony hit-and-run and impairment charges, independent investigators often conduct parallel reviews to uncover all cause and establish a clear timeline of the driver's actions before the collision.
National LNational Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Bond Legal, noted that "The anger following an alcohol-related injury is often as intense as the physical pain itself. Studies show that over half of convicted offenders will continue to drive even after their license is suspended."
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the state recorded 11,860 alcohol-related crashes in 2022, resulting in 7,736 injuries.
What options exist for the family of the injured 9-year-old?
Families dealing with catastrophic pediatric injuries often face overwhelming medical bills and long-term rehabilitation costs. When an at-fault driver has a history of revoked licenses and prior offenses, identifying all available avenues for financial recovery becomes critical to ensuring the child receives necessary ongoing care.
National LNational Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
In incidents involving severe impairment and fleeing the scene, investigators will also examine where the driver obtained alcohol prior to the crash to determine if any third-party liability exists under state dram shop laws.
North Carolina personal injury framework
North Carolina follows a contributory negligence system — one of only 4 states. Under this strict rule, a plaintiff found even 1% at fault may be barred from recovery entirely. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Damages include economic and non-economic losses.