Crime

Vermont State Police Log: High speed ends with a crash and chase

ADDISON COUNTY — Troopers with the Vermont State Police encountered a vehicle traveling 82 mph in a 50 mph zone on Route 7 near the New Haven/Waltham line on May 7 at around 10:20 a.m.
The trooper attempted to stop the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder but the vehicle failed to yield and accelerated away at a high rate of speed. Shortly thereafter the vehicle encountered a slower-moving tractor-trailer and the driver was unable to safely pass it, so he aimed his SUV toward the right shoulder and went off the traveled portion of highway. 
The vehicle came to rest at the bottom of a steep embankment; police judged it to be a total loss. 
The driver hopped out of the Nissan and fled the scene through dense woods. State police searched for him and found the driver about an hour later behind a home near Lime Kiln Road in New Haven. Troopers took the driver, identified as 32-year-old Justin Gaboriault of Rutland, to the New Haven barracks for processing. Police noted that Gaboriault showed several indicators of drug impairment.
During the ensuing hours, troopers learned from the Rutland City Police Department that Gaboriault had taken the Nissan without consent of its owner. 
In addition to issuing Gaboriault several traffic tickets, state police issued him criminal citations for driving under the influence of alcohol or another substance, second offense; driving with a suspended or revoked license; negligent driving; attempting to elude a police officer; driving with excessive speed; and possession of stolen property. Other charges from Rutland police were pending.
State police credited many agencies with assistance in this incident, including Rutland, Bristol and Vergennes police; Addison County Sheriff’s deputies; Vergennes Fire Department; Vergennes Area Rescue Squad; and Middlebury Regional EMS. 

UNKNOWN FATALITY IDENTIFIED
Meanwhile, state police are still investigating the death of a man on a New Haven highway on May 5, as reported in last week’s Independent, and on Tuesday evening they identified the victim as Marcin Kosz, 40, of Athol, N.Y.
Vermont State Police said Kosz was in the northbound lane of Route 7 in New Haven when he was struck and killed by a motorist late on that Tuesday night. Police said the accident occurred near the intersection of Route 7 and Town Hill Road. 
Kosz was hit at about 10:45 p.m. by a Freightliner tanker truck driven by a Swanton man, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said that speed, alcohol or drug impairment of the driver were not factors in the accident.
State police on Tuesday said the incident remains under investigation, and they ask anyone with information to call them at the New Haven barracks at 388-4919. 
In other recent activity, troopers:
•  On May 1 at approximately 1:25 a.m. observed a disabled vehicle on South Middlebrook Road in Waltham. Troopers stopped to check on the vehicle and learned it was being operated by Megan Jackman, 41, of Addison. Police screened Jackman for impairment and cited her for driving under the influence, third offense.
•  On May 1 found a suspect they began seeking after receiving a complaint last summer. On Aug. 28, 2019, detective troopers assigned to the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations fielded a report that a juvenile had disclosed an alleged sexual assault. As a result of the subsequent investigative actions, including multiple interviews, the detectives found probable cause to believe that Thomas Tatro, 62, of Williston had sexually assaulted a juvenile on more than one occasion. On May 1 police located Tatro, cited him for aggravated sexual assault and released him with a court date of June 15.
•  On May 3 at a few minutes before 9 p.m. received a report of a physical altercation between two household members at a home on Route 74 Shoreham. The male subject fled before police arrived; but the troopers began investigated and said they determined that Oscar Joaquin Tejeda, 37, of Shoreham had assaulted another household member.
Troopers attempted to locate Tejeda by searching the immediate area, including nearby homes and outbuildings with the use of a K-9. Unable to locate Tejeda, they applied for a warrant for his arrest, which was granted. Police could not find Tejeda on May 4, but the next morning state police received a call from the residence advising Tejeda had returned. 
Police took Tejeda into custody without incident, took him to the New Haven barracks for processing, cited him for first degree aggravated domestic assault, and held him without bail until his hearing.
State Police were assisted on scene by Middlebury police.
•  On May 4 wrapped up an investigation that began March 23, when state police were notified of a complaint involving the fraudulent used of a credit card through a third party. After investigating, including conducting multiple interviews, detective troopers with the Vermont Bureau of Investigation found probable cause that Alexina Parent, 35, of Middlebury had used false pretense with the intent to defraud another to an amount exceeding $900. On May 4, police located Parent and cited her for false pretenses or token.
•  On May 5 at approximately 20 minutes before 7 p.m. responded to a report of a simple assault and unlawful mischief in Whiting. Troopers allege that Cheyenne Long, 18, of Whiting physically assaulted another person and vandalized their automobile. They cited Long for simple assault and unlawful mischief.
•  On May 8 at 10 minutes before 2 p.m. were advised of a two-car crash on Route 125 near the intersection with Cider Mill Road in Cornwall. Police report that Kayla Ortiz, 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was driving a 2015 Chrysler 200 northbound on Cider Mill Road and failed to come to a stop or yield to motorists on Route 125. Upon entering the intersection, the Chrysler struck a 2013 Dodge Durango that was westbound on Route 125 and driven by Anita Huestis, 53, of Bridport.
Police said that neither speed nor impairment appear to be contributing factors in this motor vehicle crash, but rather operator inattention. Policed ticketed Ortiz for failing to stop at a stop sign. Middlebury Regional EMS took Huestis to Porter Hospital for treatment of suspected minor injuries. The Cornwall Fire Department assisted state police.
•  On May 8 at a little past 10 p.m. stopped a motor vehicle on Route 7 in Middlebury after observing a motor vehicle violation. Troopers screened the driver, identified as Allen B. Pike, 41, of North Ferrisburgh, took him to the New Haven barracks for processing and cited him for driving under the influence of drugs, fourth offense. Troopers were assisted on scene by members of Middlebury police.
•  On May 10 at a few minutes before 9 p.m. were dispatched to a one-car crash on Monkton Road near Old Stage Road in Monkton. Troopers said Amanda Brace, 32, of South Hero was driving a 2003 Honda Civic when the vehicle swerved off the road to avoid a collision with a deer and an oncoming vehicle. Brace sustained minor injuries that were treated at Porter Hospital. Police cited her for driving with a criminally suspended license. Bristol First Response and Bristol Rescue Squad assisted state police.

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