STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Motor Vehicle Crash, Negligent Operation, Road Rage

CASE#: 09C202650

TROOPER:  Senior Trooper Andrew Leise
STATION: Vermont State Police New Haven 
CONTACT#: 1-802-388-4919

DATE/TIME: October 4, 2009/ 1007AM hours
LOCATION:  Panton Road Panton, VT.
VEHICLE #1 OPERATOR:   Justin E. Hutchins AGE:  22   SEAT BELT: Y  
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE:   Panton, VT
DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE:  1995 Chevrolet Blazer
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE: Vehicle#1 sustained moderate right front bumper, grill, and quarter panel damage. Vehicle#1 also sustained hood and roof damage as a result of rolling.

VEHICLE #2 OPERATOR: Ray J. Rabideau AGE:   31 SEAT BELT:  Y  
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Troy, NY
DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE:   2001 Toyota Corolla
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE: Vehicle#2 sustained moderate left side contact damage.

INJURIES:

Vehicle#1
NAME: Christine Dellveneri
NATURE OF INJURY:  Passenger#1 sustained head, neck, shoulder, and rib bruising.  
Passenger#1 also sustained a bruised right ankle as a result of the collision.

HOSPITAL: Passenger #1 was transported to Porter Hospital via Vergennes Rescue.

WEATHER:   Cloudy
ROAD COND:   Wet

SUMMARY OF CRASH:  

Prior to this collision vehicle#1 and vehicle#2 were both traveling eastbound on the Panton Road in the Town of Panton. While traveling eastbound operator#2 attempted to pull out and pass vehicle#1 using the westbound lane of travel. While operator#2 was attempting to pass, operator#1 accelerated rapidly preventing operator#2 from completing his pass. Operator#2 subsequently disengaged and pulled back in behind vehicle#1. Approximately 1-2 miles east of the first incident, vehicle#1 slowed significantly and operator#2 attempted to pass vehicle#1 again. Operator#2 pulled out and passed vehicle#1 using the westbound lane of travel. Upon completing the pass operator#1 began tailgating vehicle#2 from behind. Operator#2 subsequently hit his brakes intentionally as operator#1 was tailgating him closely. Operator#1 subsequently swerved left into the westbound lane of travel and attempted to pass vehicle#2. While attempting to pass vehicle#2, operator#1 lost control of vehicle#1. Vehicle#1 subsequently came into direct contact with vehicle#2 sideswiping it. Vehicle#1 traveled off the north side of Panton Road where it overturned. Vehicle#2 traveled off the south side of the roadway narrowly missing a row of trees.   

It should be noted that operator#1 admitted to speeds ranging between 5 and 70
miles per hour while the above chain of events took place. Operator#1 also admitted that he intentionally tailgated vehicle#2. Operator#2 admitted to speeds ranging between 55 and 60 miles per hour. Operator#2 also admitted to hitting his brakes intentionally while vehicle#1 was tailgating him. There are approximately four 40 mile per hour posted speed limit signs on Panton Road within the 2.3 miles where this incident took place. During this incident speeds ranged from 15 to 30 miles over the posted speed limit. Both operators were cited for Negligent Operation and will be required to appear in Addison District Court on November 2, 2009 to answer to those charges.

One witness was interviewed concerning the above incident. Anyone with information are asked to contact Senior Trooper Andrew Leise at The New Haven State Police Barracks at 1-802-388-4919.

State Police are encouraging motorists to avoid aggressive and erratic operation and to contact 911 with a plate and vehicle description if such operation takes place.