ADDISON COUNTY — At about a half hour passed midnight on Dec. 26, Vermont state Police and the Salisbury Fire Department responded to a report of car on fire on Route 7 near Lotsawater Road in Salisbury. The vehicle, a 1998 Volvo XC70, was abandoned and fully engulfed in flames upon the arrival of firefighters and state police.
Through investigation, state police determined that Ashleigh Hickey, 26, of Ripton was the operator of the vehicle when it caught fire. Troopers allege that Hickey abandoned the vehicle and did not report it to emergency services.
A check with the Vermont DMV indicated Hickey’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Vermont was under criminal suspension. Charges are pending further investigation.
In other recent activity, Vermont State Police:
•  On Dec. 21 at around a quarter to 9 a.m. stopped a motor vehicle on North Pleasant Street near Elm Street in Middlebury. Police cited Codey Paquin, 26, of New Haven for driving with a criminally suspended license and violation of conditions of release by driving. They also issued him civil tickets for “Prohibitions,” “Maintenance of financial responsibility” and “Persons required to register.”
•  On Dec. 20 at approximately 9:30 p.m. were notified of a violation of a court order. Police said their investigation showed that Dinna Bauer, 57, of Poultney violated a protection order by contacting the victim in Salisbury via mail. Troopers cited Bauer for violation a protection order.
•  On Dec. 21 at quarter to 11 p.m. saw a vehicle northbound on Route 7, and a check with the DMV showed that the registered owner did not have a valid driver’s license. Police stopped the vehicle in Waltham and cited Jamie Jennings, 41, of Moriah, N.Y., for driving with a criminally suspended license.
•  On Dec. 22 at approximately 9:33 a.m. stopped vehicle on Route 17 near Sawyer Road in New Haven for an equipment violation. Police cited Austin Wimett-Lafayette, 22, of New Haven for driving under the influence.
•  On Dec. 22 at a little before 4 p.m. stopped a motor vehicle for an equipment violation on Route 7 near Dog Team Road in New Haven. Police cited Bobbijo Staples, 22, of Danby for driving with a criminally suspended license and issued her tickets for “Misuse of plates,” “Prohibitions” and “Failure to carry proof of financial responsibility.”
•  On Dec. 23 at approximately 9:35 a.m. saw a vehicle traveling southbound on Route 7 near the intersection with Lotsawater Drive at a high rate of speed while passing a vehicle. Police said the car driven by Stephen Furtado, 40, of Burlington was traveling 72 mph in a posted 50 mph zone. Police cited Furtado for driving with a criminally suspended license and issued civil tickets for speeding and for “misuse of plates,” which combined carry a waiver amount of $386 and two points on his insurance.
•  On Dec. 25 at approximately 8 p.m. responded to Route 125 near Ridge Road in Cornwall for a report of a one-car crash. Police said the driver, identified as Daniel Cooperrider, 34, of Cornwall, was westbound on Route 125 and failed to negotiate a right-hand curve; the vehicle left the roadway, struck a culvert and rolled once. The vehicle was a total loss as a result of the collision.
While speaking with Cooperrider, troopers said they detected signs of impairment, so they screened him and subsequently cited Cooperrider for driving under the influence, first offense. He is due to answer the charge in Addison Superior Court, criminal division, on Jan. 14.
•  On Dec. 26 at approximately 4:45 p.m. stopped a motor vehicle on Silver Street in Monkton and cited Reid Garrow, 32, of Essex for driving with a criminally suspended license and for violation of conditions of release by driving.
•  On Dec. 27 at a few minutes after 10 a.m. were informed that a man with a suspended license had driven to the Jiffy Mart Gas Station in New Haven. Troopers ended up citing Todd Brigham, 28, of Whiting for driving with a criminally suspended license and for violation of his conditions of release by operating a motor vehicle.
•  On Dec. 27 at 7:30 a.m. stopped a motor vehicle on Route 7 in New Haven and cited Ornan Mclean, 51, of Vergennes for driving with a criminally suspended license.
•  On Dec. 28 at around 3 a.m. responded to a single-vehicle crash on Route 22A, south of Cook Road near Sanford Brook in Orwell.
Troopers said their preliminary investigation showed that Yvon LeDuc, 59, of Salisbury was driving a tractor-trailer hauling a fully loaded tanker of milk southbound on Route 22A when he drove off the road to avoid a head on collision with an oncoming vehicle in the wrong lane. After leaving the western side of the road, the milk truck rolled over. LeDuc was taken to Porter Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The truck was judged to be a total loss.
A check with the DMV indicated LeDuc’s commercial driver’s license was under suspension, state police report. Charges are pending.
Vermont State Police were assisted by the Orwell Fire Department and Middlebury Regional EMS.
•  On Dec. 28 at just before 11 p.m. saw a blue Volkswagen Passat travelling north on Route 7 in New Haven with a defective headlight, and stopped the vehicle. Police cited Joshua Thibault, 40, of St. Albans for driving with a criminally suspended license.
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On Friday night, Dec. 21, the Sheriff’s Departments of Addison and Rutland counties conducted a saturation patrol on Route 7 from New Haven to South Wallingford. They also sent sheriff’s deputies to patrol in Mendon and Proctor.
During this enforcement the following actions took place:
•  131 motor vehicle stops.
•  2 DUI arrests.
•  1 citation for driving under criminal suspension.
•  31 speeding violations.
•  4 other violations.
Police reminded people not to drink alcohol and drive; designate a sober driver or use public transportation.