ADDISON COUNTY — This past January, Vermont State Police in New Haven barracks began an investigation into Thomas Utter, 34, of Bristol for numerous offenses spanning July of 2022 to January of 2023.

Police late last week reported that their investigation showed that Utter had committed multiple offenses during this period. On May 4 they cited him for two counts of domestic assault, cruelty to a child, unlawful restraint in the second degree, three counts of committing an offense in presence of child, disorderly conduct, violation of conditions of release and violation of abuse prevention order.

In other recent activity, troopers:

• On May 1 at a few minutes after 10 p.m. stopped a motor vehicle on Route 7 near Fern Lake Road in Leicester. The trooper identified the passenger of the vehicle as Christopher L. Herring, 42, of Rutland City. The officer arrested Herring, who had a warrant out for his arrest for grand larceny less than $900. Police took him to the Marble Valley Correctional Facility where he was lodged.

Police identified the driver in the May 1 incident as David R. Farnham, 43, of Rutland City. While speaking with him, troopers detected indicators of impairment, so they screened him and arrested him on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs. Farnham was taken to Porter Medical Center to be evaluated after a medical incident. Police cited Farnham for DUI and for driving with a criminally suspended license.

• On May 2 at 10 minutes to 5 p.m. responded to a one-car rollover on Shard Villa Road in Salisbury. Police determined that Pamela Thomas, 58, of Whiting was travelling southbound on Shard Villa Road when she lost control of the 2010 Kia Soul she was driving due to a defective wheel. Thomas went into the ditch and her vehicle rolled onto its roof. 

Thomas was evaluated by EMS and taken to Porter Medical Center for suspected minor injuries. Later, police issued her a ticket for driving a motor vehicle with defective equipment, a violation that carries a penalty of $105.

State police were assisted by the Salisbury Fire Department and Middlebury Regional EMS.

• On May 4 at 1:05 a.m. checked on a disabled vehicle near the intersection of Route 7 and  Little Chicago Road in Ferrisburgh. Police cited Neeraj Bharati, 33, of South Burlington for driving under the influence of drugs. 

• On May 4 at around 10:41 p.m. responded to a one-car rollover on Route 22A near Mutton Square Road in Orwell. After investigating, police said Joseph Marcotte, 37, of Corinth was driving a 2019 Chevy 6500 HD northbound on Route 22A when the trailer he was towing began to fishtail. 

Marcotte lost control of the vehicle and left the northbound lane. He attempted to reenter the roadway, struck a utility pole and the Chevy came to rest across both lanes of Route 22A. The passenger and owner of the trailer — Chris Khamnei, 57, of Burlington — sustained suspected minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Marcotte was uninjured.

The Vermont State Police were assisted by members of the Orwell Fire Department and Middlebury Regional EMS. 

• On May 8 at a little before 12:30 p.m. troopers on patrol came upon a two-vehicle crash on Route 7 near the Starry Night Café in Ferrisburgh. Police report that Wayne Lachat, 57, of Shoreham was driving a 2018 Ford Expedition southbound at a reasonable speed when June Hendrick, 69, of Vergennes, driving a 2003 BMW 325iT entered Route 7 from a private driveway off the southbound lane without yielding to Lachat’s SUV. The Expedition struck the front of the BMW’s passenger’s side, forcing it into the northbound lane. The Beemer then returned the southbound lane before leaving the roadway and overturning. Both vehicles were towed from the scene and Lachat was transported by ambulance to UVM Medical Center with reported back pain. No injuries were reported for Hendrick.

Police issued Hendrick a traffic ticket that carries a fine of $220 and 2 points on her insurance.

Troopers were assisted on scene by Vergennes police, Vergennes Area Rescue Squad and Ferrisburgh Fire Department. 

• On May 9 at a few minutes before noon logged a report of a vehicle driving erratically and then crashed on Route 116 South near River Road in Bristol.  Troopers found the driver, who identified himself as Tyler Pion, 33, of Westmore.  Pion was transported to Vergennes Police Department for processing and eventually charged for driving under the influence of drugs, negligent driving and violation of conditions.

State police were assisted by Bristol police, Bristol Fire and Bristol Rescue. The road was closed for approximately one hour due to the crash.