Public Safety
Firefighter injured at crash
SEARSBURG- Route 9 and Route 8 were closed to traffic for more than three hours Tuesday morning, April 17, after two trucks collided on the sleet and ice-covered roadway. Wilmington officials reported that a Wilmington firefighter was injured at the scene.
At Tuesday evening’s Wilmington Selectboard meeting, town manager Scott Tucker reported that a Wilmington firefighter was struck by a sheriff’s department cruiser as it arrived on the scene. Tucker said the injuries were minor, and the firefighter sought medical treatment and has been released. He told selectboard members the incident is under investigation by state police.
Police say Phillip A. LaForest, 53, of Rexford, NY, turned onto Route 9 from Route 8 and lost control of his International box truck on the icy road. The truck spun around, and was blocking the eastbound lane when it stopped.
Carl J. Kuhn, 65, of Cuba, NY, was driving eastbound in a Kenworth tractor-trailer loaded with steel I-beams. Police say Kuhn attempted to avoid LaForest’s box truck, but struck the front end. The cargo of steel I-beams spilled onto the road. Route 9 was closed while the trucks, debris, and I-beams were removed from the roadway. No injuries were sustained in the crash. The Bennington County Sheriff, Wilmington Fire Department, Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, and Vermont Department of Transportation also responded to the scene. A’s Towing removed the box truck from the scene.
Driver charged in rollover crash
WILMINGTON- On Saturday, April 14, at about 12:50 am, Wilmington police attempted to stop a vehicle traveling north on Route 100 at a high rate of speed. The vehicle continued through a dangerous section of roadway and attempted to pass another vehicle. The driver, later identified as Brendan Santo-Christo, 19, of Hebron, CT, lost control and crashed in a field overturning multiple times and totaling the vehicle.
Santo-Christo was arrested for negligent operation and driving under the influence, and was released on a citation to appear in Windham Superior Court to answer the charges. He was also issued a ticket for speeding. No injuries were reported.
Youth faces multiple charges
NEWFANE- Police arrested a 17-year-old Townshend driver after he attempted to flee from police on Route 30 at about 12:43 pm on Thursday, April 8. Police attempted to stop the vehicle for two minor motor vehicle infractions. When police activated their blue emergency lights, the driver led them on a pursuit as speeds exceeding 90 mph. The vehicle eventually stopped on River Road.
Police charged the juvenile with negligent operation, excessive speed, attempting to elude, and a violation of juvenile probation. The driver was issued a citation to appear in Windham Family Court to answer the charges.
No injuries in Searsburg crash
SEARSBURG- No injuries were reported in a crash on Route 8 at about 1:22 pm on Sunday, April 15. According to police reports, Larry A. Provencher, 61, of Exeter, NH, was driving too fast for road conditions and went off the road near Hager Lane and crashed into a copse of trees.
Provencher was extracted from the vehicle by Wilmington Fire/Rescue. He was evaluated by Deerfield Valley Rescue and determined to be free of injuries. Provencher’s 2015 Ford Fusion was totaled in the crash.
Charged with DLS
JAMAICA- While assisting the Windham County Sheriff’s Department with a crash investigation on Route 30 at about 10:40 am Monday, April 9, Vermont State Police discovered that Dianna Fletcher, 38, of Jamaica, was driving with a suspended license. She was cited to appear in Windham Superior Court for the offense.
Beware of medical waste
Despite recent wintery weather, spring is here. And with the melting snow, some area residents and business owners may find used syringes and needles on their property. This type of medical waste requires special handling.
The Vermont Department of Health says to wear heavy gloves and pick it up, or use tongs or pliers to grab the waste. Do not handle sharp items with bare hands. Teach children to tell an adult if they see a syringe or needle on the ground.
Do not throw sharps into the trash or toilet. Use a heavy-duty laundry detergent or bleach container with a screw top. Do not use soda or water bottles. Carefully put the used items in the container with the needle-end down. Do not fill the container completely full. Label the container with the words: “Do not recycle.”
When the container is ready for disposal, screw the cap on tightly and cover the top with strong tape, like duct tape. Dispose of the container with your household trash. Do not put the container in recycling.
For more information visit HealthVermont.gov.
