ADDISON COUNTY — Vermont State Police announced late Friday morning that they had found a man they had been searching for since the previous evening.
At around 11 a.m. on June 2, state police announced that Mark Richards, 37, of Burlington had been found safe and was reunited with his family.
Late Thursday state police reported that Richards had walked away from Branbury State Park that afternoon and had not returned.
Police said Richards left the camping area around 3 p.m. Richards’ friends conducted an initial search for him before seeking assistance from authorities, according to police.
The successful search of the area was conducted by the VSP, Vermont Fish & Game, Vermont State Park Rangers, U.S. Forest Service and Salisbury Fire Department.
Also on Friday, June 2, state police responded to a highway crash that left two vehicles totaled.
At just before 5:30 p.m. troopers were notified of a two- vehicle collision on Route 116 S near the intersection of River Road in Bristol. Amanda Belcher, 28, of Bristol told police that she was driving a 2008 Chevy HHR northbound and as she approached the right curve near the intersection of River Road, her vehicle began pulling toward the left. Belcher said she was unable to correct the direction of her car and she collided with a 2015 GMC truck driven southbound by Eric Friend, 52, of Bristol. Friend told police he was driving approximately 40-45 mph.
Both vehicles were totaled as a result of the collision. Belcher sustained minor injuries; Friend reported no injuries. Both drivers were wearing seat belts. Neither alcohol nor drugs played a factor in the collision, police said.
State police were assisted on scene by the Bristol police, rescue and fire departments and Middlebury police.
In other recent activity, Vermont State Police:
•  On May 30 cited Mary Mendoza, 33, of Weybridge for driving under the influence (first offense) off Route 7 in New Haven at around 11 p.m.
•  On June 3 at around 2:50 p.m. cited Arlyn Sunderland, 43, of Shoreham for driving with a criminally suspended license on Route 22A in Shoreham.
•  On June 4 at approximately 8:18 p.m. were notified of a vehicle off of the roadway on Lake Street in Bridport. State police report that the driver, identified as Andrew Martell, 26, of Addison, showed signs of impairment. Troopers screened Martell and ended up citing him for driving under the influence, third offense.