STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE

PRESS RELEASE

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

CASE#: 09C105284

TROOPER: S/T Sawtelle, Sgt. Mozzer, T1/C Duca, Sgt. Stephenson (Rutland County Sheriff's Department)
STATION: VSP-Rutland
CONTACT#: (802)773-9101

DATE/TIME: 10/31/2009  0005 hrs

LOCATION (specific): Danby Hill Road  Danby, Vermont

VEHICLE #1 OPERATOR: Larry W. Morris AGE: 38  SEAT BELT: No
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Danby, Vermont
DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE: 1997 Subaru Legacy
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE: Front end

WEATHER: Clear  
ROAD COND: Dry

SUMMARY OF CRASH

On October 31, 2009, at approximately 0005 hrs, Troopers from the State Police Barracks in Rutland were dispatched to a one car motor vehicle collision on Danby Hill Road in the town of Danby, Vermont. The vehicle had collided with a telephone pole.  Dispatch advised responding troopers that the male operator of the vehicle had fled the scene on foot toward Danby Village.  Troopers were also advised that the male operator's two daughters were still in the vehicle.

Upon arrival Troopers ascertained the welfare of the children.  Both children (female, ages 6 and 10 years old) advised they were not injured.  While speaking with the two children Troopers learned that the male operator was their father, Larry W. Morris.  The children's mother and grandmother came to the scene and took custody of the children.  The children were later examined at Rutland Regional Medical Center and released w/out injury.

The telephone pole that was struck was damaged and needed to be repaired by CVPS. The vehicle also broke a residents fence, as well as the residents tree.  The vehicle was towed by Carreras Towing.

Troopers were assisted in locating the male by the Rutland County Sheriff's Department.  The male, now identified as Larry W. Morris, was still missing. Troopers checked the last residence he was at where they located another male. That male was later arrested for DUI.  Troopers went back to the residence a short time later and were eventually told that Mr. Morris was in the house.  Troopers located Mr. Morris in an upstairs bathroom.  Mr. Morris was placed under arrest and transported to the State Police Barracks in Rutland.

Mr. Morris later provided a breath sample with a result of .169%.  He was charged with DUI #4, as well as leaving the scene of an accident, driving while license suspended criminally, and cruelty to children under 10 by a person over 16 years of age