Main Sections

Three Die One Seriously Injured In Route 7 Car Crash Near Middlebury

photo by Mike Cameron Fire fighters stand by as a vehicle containing the bodies of three victims is winched onto a tow truck. The two vehicle accident occurred on Wednesday Morning February 13th, 2008 on U.S. Route 7 just north of Exchange St.

Tuesday February 19, 2008

By Mike Cameron

   Three people lost their lives in a Wednesday morning February 13th, 2008 two car crash on U.S. Route 7 just north of Exchange Street near Hendy Brothers Inc. in Middlebury.

   Police reports indicate that shortly before 11a.m., Dereck Busier age 31 was driving south during a steady sleet and rain squall when his Chevrolet Cavalier slid sideways on  the ice and slush covered highway and crossed the center line continuing sideways until it collided right-side-first with a Jeep Cherokee driven by James P. Dunn, 45 of Salisbury in the northbound lane.

   The collision impact crushed the passenger side of the Cavalier, killing Mr. Busier and both of his passengers, Jennifer Traverse, 28 and Justin Traverse 10.

   Mr. Dunn was taken to Porter Medical Center in Middlebury and later transferred to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.  Police indicated that Mr. Dunn received serious injuries as a result of the crash.

   Middlebury Police and Middlebury Fire and Rescue personnel responded quickly to the accident scene along with fire department volunteers from neighboring towns including as far away as Salisbury.  Route 7 was closed to thru traffic for about two hours.

   Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley told reporters that Mr. Dunn was wearing his seat belt and that the Jeep Cherokee’s air bags deployed during the crash.  Those two safety features authorities believe helped to prevent further  serious injuries to Mr. Dunn.

   Mr.Busier and Jennifer Traverse were not wearing seat belts.  Justin Traverse, seated in the back seat of the Cavalier was wearing his seat belt.

   The Jeep was removed from the road shortly after the accident.  The Cavalier containing the three victims was wrapped in tarps and winched onto a flat-bed tow truck at about 1 p.m.  The three victims were removed from the wreckage at the Middlebury Police Department garage.  After all of the victims were identified and relatives were notified, authorities released their names to the media later that evening.

   Wednesday February 13th 2008 was a day that saw rain, freezing drizzle and ice covered roads through out Addison County and around the state.  

   A score of vehicle accidents was reported during the day and evening.

    It was almost one year ago to the day when a classic “Noreaster,” dumped record amounts of snow on Vermont.  This year the storm took the form of sleet, rain and frozen roads making driving treacherous.

  Middlebury Police continue to urge motorists to “buckle up” reduce speed and leave a safe following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you especially when road conditions begin to deteriorate because of foul weather and poor visibility.   

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives