BOLTON — A young woman from Starksboro who was a passenger in a car that hit a moose on Tuesday evening was badly injured; the driver was killed.
Vermont State Police report that a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by 22-year-old Brandon Preedom of Waterbury struck an 800-pound bull moose at a little after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Preedom succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Kourtney Cota, 17, a passenger in the car was transported to UVM Medical Center by the Richmond Rescue Squad for treatment of a head injury. Late on Thursday afternoon the hospital reported that Cota’s condition was good. The hospital defines “good” as vital signs stable and within normal limits, patient is conscious and comfortable, and indicators are excellent.
Police investigators reported that Preedom’s Cobalt struck the bull moose in the westbound lane of travel on Route 2, the car veered off the northern side of the road and collided with, and snapped, a telephone pole and came to rest adjacent to the westbound lane of the road. Based off of preliminary investigations, it did not appear speed or impairment were contributing factors in this collision.
Police said both occupants of the car were wearing seatbelts.
State police were assisted at the scene by Richmond Rescue, Richmond Fire, Bolton Fire, Richmond Police Department, as well as Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department staff. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or operation of car prior to the collision is asked to contact Cpl. Andrew Leise at the VSP’s Williston barracks at 802-878-7111.
Preedom was the 19th person to have died in motor vehicle collisions with moose on Vermont highways since 1985. Last year, 65 moose were involved in collisions with motor vehicles or trains in Vermont (45 so far this year).
According to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark or early in the morning. The peak of their breeding season is late September and the first two weeks of October.
State officials offer these measures to avoid hitting moose:
• Always be aware of the danger — moose cross the road randomly, as well as at their regular crossings.
• Increase your roadside awareness and reduce your speed when you see MOOSE CROSSING signs along the highway. When on secondary roads, the recommended speed is 40 mph or less in these moose crossing areas.
• Drive defensively and don’t overdrive your headlights. Moose are more active at night and early morning, and they are difficult to see because of their dark color.
• If you see a moose ahead, slow down or stop. Trying to speed past them before they move can be a serious mistake.