ADDISON COUNTY — Vermont State Police reported two local instances in the past week in which they stopped motorists for speeding and ended up citing those drivers for driving under the influence as well.
First, on Nov. 20 at 10:25 p.m. state police stopped Cody Brown, 23, of Ferrisburgh for speeding on Plank Road in New Haven. During the stop Brown was found to be under the influence of alcohol. His preliminary blood alcohol content at roadside was measured at 0.086 percent; the legal limit for driving is 0.08 percent.
The trooper processed Brown for DUI at the New Haven State Police barracks and subsequently released him with a citation to answer the charge in Addison Superior Division, criminal division, on Dec. 8.
Then, on Nov. 21 at 6:27 p.m. a trooper stopped a vehicle driven by 60-year-old Adem Duracak of Middlebury for driving 35 mph over the posted limit on Morgan Horse Farm Road in Weybridge. Police said they found that Duracak was under the influence of alcohol. His preliminary blood alcohol test was measured at 0.120 percent; the legal limit for driving is 0.08 percent. Police cited Duracak for DUI and speeding.
In other recent activity, VSP:
•  On Nov. 18 received a complaint of a burglary at a Flora White Road home in Goshen. The residents told police that someone had stolen jewelry and money from the home. After further investigation, state police determined that tools were used to force entry into the residence. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked call the Vermont State Police at 802-388-4919.
•  On Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. responded to a crash near the intersection of Routes 22A and 73 in Orwell. Police said an unidentified vehicle was traveling southbound on Route 22A when it crossed the centerline and sideswiped a 2013 Toyota truck driven by Richard C. Bartholomew, 76, of Fairfax, who was northbound on Route 22A at approximately 45 mph. The unidentified vehicle kept driving south. Bartholomew’s truck sustained moderate damage: scratches across both front and rear left side fenders, a cracked windshield, left side mirror broken off and front left tire blown from the impact. No one was injured. Anyone with any information regarding this incident asked to call Trooper Young at 802-388-4919.
•  On Nov. 20 at 11:19 a.m. stopped 44-year-old Michael J. Gardner of Starksboro on Cheesefactory Road in South Burlington for a vehicle equipment issue. During the stop police found that Gardner’s license was suspended. Gardner was cited for driving with a criminally suspended license.
•  On Nov. 21 at 11:23 p.m. stopped a vehicle driven by Ryan M. Sears, 22, of Hinesburg on Monkton Road in Bristol for traveling at 32 mph over the posted speed limit (72 in a 40 mph zone). The trooper cited Sears for speeding.
•  On Nov. 21 at 3:39 p.m. responded to a single-vehicle crash on Route 100 in Granville. Police said Kyle Miglorie, 23, of Kings Beach, Calif., was driving a 2006 Ford Escape northbound when he hit a patch of snow and slush and lost control of his vehicle. The vehicle left the roadway and rolled over. Miglorie and his passenger, Tave Kuckhoff, sustained minor injuries, though neither was seriously injured nor were they transported to the hospital.
•  On Nov. 22 at 12:44 a.m. stopped a motor vehicle driven by Peter S. Brylinski, 56, of Bloomfield, N.J., on Route 7 in New Haven for defective equipment. The trooper said that during the stop he found that Brylinski was under the influence of drugs. He took Brylinski into custody, and processed him for DUI-drugs at the New Haven state police barracks and cited him for DUI.
To ensure Vermont highways remain safe, the Vermont State Police will participate in the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign, as well as Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) over the holiday from Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 30. Vermont has experienced 40 traffic fatalities in 2014 through Nov. 22. Of those traffic fatalities, three drivers were impaired by alcohol and five by drugs (most commonly marijuana). Police report that 30 percent of occupants were unbelted, improperly restrained or, if on a motorcycle, not wearing a helmet.
By using high-visibility enforcement coupled with education, state police will prompt both our citizens and visitors to drive responsibly on our highways throughout the holiday season.
“The Vermont State Police priority remains focused on occupant protection, as well as impaired and aggressive driving; which will be accomplished through organized data driven patrols and checkpoints,” said Lt. Garry Scott of the VSP Traffic Operations Unit, in a press release. “Traffic enforcement is a critical mission to the Vermont State Police and remains the single most effective tool in saving lives and detecting and deterring criminal activity.