Delivery Truck Shears Off Pole in Stamford

STAMFORD, Vt. — A delivery truck driver was taken to Berkshire Medical Center's satellite emergency facility in North Adams, Mass., on Tuesday after shearing off a utility pole.

State police said Darrell Thomas, 43, of Albany, N.Y., was southbound on Route 100 at about 12:30 p.m. when he left the highway just south of Collins Road.

Investigation into the crash determined that Thomas' uniform delivery truck lost traction on the snow-covered roadway and exited the west side of the road. The truck flipped onto its right side and slid nose first into the pole, cutting it in two and causing the cab and cargo area to rip open.  

Thomas had been wearing his seat belt, which saved him from serious injury. However, he complained of neck and back pain and was taken to the emergency room.

The truck, a 2009 Freightliner, incurred extensive damage to the cab and cargo areas and had to be towed from the scene. Stamford firefighters provided traffic control; the highway was closed briefly while the truck was removed.

Stamford Crash Cuts Power

STAMFORD, Vt. — A single-vehicle crash on Main Road on Thursday morning sent a local woman to the hospital and cut power to a section of town for more than two hours.

State police said Maria Theresa Denault, 20, of Stamford was northbound on Route 100 when she lost control of her 2005 Dodge Durango just before 9 a.m. and collided with a utility pole at 4651 Main Road.

Deneault was going about 45 mph when the sport utility vehicle lost traction in the slush and ice and slid across the road, and broke the pole at the base, according to the report by State Trooper Paul F. Sokolowski Jr. of the Shaftsbury barracks.

A messy mix of snow, sleet and rain had fallen over the region since late Wednesday evening.

Denault, who was not wearing a seat belt, was taken to North Adams (Mass.) Regional Hospital with minor injuries; the vehicle sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene.

Green Mountain Power reported about 560 customers without power in Stamford and Readsboro. The utility replaced the pole; Fair Point Communications also responded.

The Stamford Fire Department responded to the scene and assisted with traffic control.

Stamford Crash Totals Two Family Vehicles

	Ten people were involved in the two-car crash on Main Road. All were wearing seat belts and only one incurred minor injuries. Both vehicles were totaled.

STAMFORD, Vt. — A Rowe family was involved in a two-car accident on Sunday afternoon when a car driven by the husband was rear-ended by the car driven by the wife.

State Police responded to the accident at about 1 p.m. on Main Road, north of the town center.

According to Trooper Lauren Ronan, both vehicles involved were owned by Clifford Paige, 39 of Rowe. One of the vehicles, a red 1994 Honda Civic coupe was being operated by Paige; the other vehicle involved, a gray 2005 Ford Focus, was being operated by his wife, Mary Paige.  

There were four of their children in each vehicle and the conditions were cloudy with drizzle and wet pavement.

The crash occurred when Clifford Paige slammed on his brakes while arguing with his son, said Ronan. Mary Paige was driving behind her husband and was unable to stop her vehicle. She collided into the rear end of the Civic, causing extensive damage to the front end of her vehicle. The collision pushed the Civic into the guard rail, causing extensive damage.  

All of the occupants were wearing their seat belts, however, one child was transported to North Adams (Mass.) Regional hospital for a small abrasion and release shortly afterward.  

Both vehicles are believed to be totaled. Paige was issued a ticket for stopping on the roadway.

Stamford Fire Department, North Adams Ambulance Service and a Bennington County deputy sheriff also responded to the scene.

American Flags Stolen in Stamford

STAMFORD, Mass. — An unpatriotic thief made off with nearly a dozen of the town's flags on the Fourth of July.

A resident untwisting some of the flags posted on utility poles along Main Road to make the display look better for the holiday found a number of them missing.

According to a report by state Trooper Lauren Ronan, it appeared that one or more persons had pulled down on the flags, causing them to break away from their metal brackets.

A total of nine American flags were stolen; one was recovered on the ground next to the roadway.

It is believed the flags were taken early in the morning on July 4. The state police are continuing to investigate this incident.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Shaftsbury barracks at 802-442-5421. Information can also be submitted anonymously online at www.vtips.info or text "CRIMES" (274637) to Keyword: VTIPS.

Stamford House Fire Extinguished Thursday Morning

	Firefighters quickly snuffed a fire reported in  a kitchen at Jepson Road on Thursday morning.

STAMFORD, Vt. — A fire at 316 Jepson Road on Thursday morning left a home with extensive heat and smoke damage.