State Police Investigating Burglary at Stamford School

Crane Operator Killed in Vermont Construction Accident

SEARSBURG, Vt. — A Maine man was killed when the crane he was operating hit a live electrical wire on Tuesday morning.

David Sprague, 59, of Windham, Maine, was working at a construction site on Putnam Road, off Route 8, when he drove his crane under a series of high tension power lines at about 11:00 a.m. The crane struck one of the lines, electrocuting Sprague.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and an autopsy will be performed by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

Green Mountain Power responded immediately and quickly rendered the scene safe, according to state police. Troopers were also assisted on scene by Wilmington Fire Department, Bennington Fire Department, Deerfield Valley Rescue and Bennington Rescue.

Two Accidents, No Injuries in Southern Vermont

STAMFORD, Vt. — A local woman avoided injury when her Chrysler Town and Country crashed into a tree on Saturday morning shortly before 11.

 Karen Wheeler, 57, of Readsboro was southbound on Route 100 in her 2005 van when she experienced a mechanical malfunction with her steering wheel, according to State Trooper Lauren Ronan. The van left the highway near Lincoln Road, collided with a guardrail and then a tree.  

There was extensive damage to the guardrail and vehicle, which is considered totaled. Wheeler was wearing a seat belt and no one was injured in the crash. The conditions were dry and sunny.

A second accident later that day in Pownal involved two motor vehicles but no one was hurt in that collision either.

Tiffany Rounds, 28, of Pownal was southbound on Strohmaier Road when she crashed into the rear end of a parked farm vehicle, said Trooper Ronan. The accident occurred around 2:11 in the afternoon. Conditions were dry and sunny; the road is gravel.

The 2010 Subaru Legacy incurred extensive front-end damage. The unattended 1990 International farm truck had minor damage to rear bumper.

Rounds said she was distracted by her children, who were located in the back seat of the vehicle. All of the occupants were evaluated by Pownal Rescue at the scene; no injuries were sustained in the crash.
 

Stamford Accident Sends 2 to Hospital

STAMFORD, Vt. — Two North Adams, Mass., residents were injured after their car slammed into a tree on Main Road on Sunday morning.

Joelle M. Peterson, 34, and her passenger, Zachariah Chaffy, 36, were northbound on Route 8/100 in a 1999 Subaru Legacy before noon when Peterson lost control of the vehicle.

"The vehicle hit an icy patch of snow that had accumulated on the roadway. The operator was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and left the roadway before striking a tree," according to the report by State Trooper Alex Saxby.

The weather was clear but Saxby reported blowing snow across the highway.

The Subaru veered across the southbound lane, hitting the tree on the lawn of 289 Main Road. The accident occurred on the slight curve just south of Billmont's Country Store.

Both of the car's occupants were wearing seat belts. Peterson suffered minor abrasions and Chaffy, a broken hip. Both were taken to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Mass. The Subaru was considered totalled.

Adams Man Facing Charges in Stamford Crash

STAMFORD, Vt. — An Adams, Mass., man is facing charges after crashing his car early Saturday morning.

State police say Dorian Bigelow, 19, lost control of his 2007 Hyundai Tiburon at about 3 a.m. and left the road, smashing into a group of trees.

There was wet snow on the road but Trooper Thomas Stange said "alcohol appeared to be a contributing factor in the crash."

The crash occurred near 1111 East Road.

The vehicle incurred heavy front end damage. Bigelow was taken to the emergency facility in North Adams, Mass., for minor injuries related to the airbag's deployment.

Criminal charges are pending the results of the investigation.