ADDISON COUNTY — Vermont State Police dealt with several motor vehicle crashes and handed out several citations for driving under the influence (DUI) during the past week.

The case that resulted in the most charges occurred on Monday, Feb. 5, when troopers were called at 2:31 p.m. to the intersection of Route 7 and New Haven Road in Ferrisburgh, where a vehicle had crashed into a guardrail and left the scene. State Police cited Michael Winters, 44, of Middlebury for DUI refusal, second offense; leaving the scene of an accident; negligent driving, failing to use a required ignition interlock device; and driving with a criminally suspended license. They then released Winters to a sober party with a citation to answer the charges in Addison County Superior Court, Criminal Division, on Feb. 19.

Also of note, troopers at around 11 p.m. on Jan. 31 conducted a traffic stop a car on Route 17 near Green Street in Waltham. Officers determined the driver — John A. Cunningham, 50, of Panton — was impaired, and cited him for driving under the influence of drugs and driving with a criminally suspended license. They also cited him for possession of cocaine.

Meanwhile, troopers dealt with back-to-back car crashes on Route 7 in Waltham during the morning of Feb. 1.

Troopers first responded to a two-vehicle crash near the Victory Baptist Church at 7:35 a.m. on that Thursday. Police report that Melissa Ethridge, 39, of Charlotte, was driving a 2017 Subaru Forester southbound on Route 7 when, attempting a three-point turn, she stopped in the northbound lane. At the same time, a 2017 Nissan Rogue driven by Deborah Brosseau, 55, of Vergennes, traveling northbound at what police described as “a reasonable speed” was unable to see the Subaru due to the hill, and Brosseau’s Rogue struck the passenger’s side of the Subaru. 

Brosseau sustained minor injuries, while Ethridge was unhurt; both were wearing seat belts. Both vehicles were determined to be totaled.

Troopers were assisted on scene by the Vergennes Fire Department and Vergennes Area Rescue Squad.

While this first crash was being cleared, police said a second crash was reported just south, on Route 7 near Plank Road.

State police report that at about 7:50 a.m., Addison Goodyear, 24, of Bristol was driving a 2005 Volvo V70 northbound at the speed limit of 50 mph when she failed to notice a 2018 Honda Clarity driven by Michael Ferland, 61, of Enosburg, who had stopped in traffic due to the aforementioned crash near the Victory Baptist Church. As a result, the front end of the Volvo struck the rear end of Honda. No injuries were reported, but both cars were damaged.

Vergennes fire and rescue personnel assisted at the scene.

Separately, a one-vehicle crash took place on Monday just before 2 p.m. State police report 87-year-old Reginald Betourney of Salisbury was driving a 2009 GMC pickup on North Street in New Haven under the posted speed limit when he apparently lost control of the vehicle, crossed the centerline, left the roadway off the southbound lane, and struck a utility pole.

Betourney was uninjured, but the truck was declared a total loss.

Troopers were assisted on scene by the New Haven Fire Department and Green Mountain Power.

During this period, state police also stopped a Middlebury man and cited him for driving with a criminally suspended license. They stopped Henry Romp, 32, on Route 7 at Kelton Drive in New Haven on Jan. 29 at 9:53 p.m. and cited him for DLS.

Finally, New Haven Station Commander Lt. Thomas Mozzer announced his troopers, with sup[port from other area police agencies, will conduct a DUI sobriety checkpoint during the week of Feb. 11. Vermonters are urged to use a designated driver when necessary.