Vermont Business Magazine Steven Jalbert of Barre was convicted on June 10, 2016, in Vermont Superior Court, Washington Criminal Division, of two counts of reckless endangerment. Jalbert was a certified Vermont State Inspection Mechanic in May 2014 when he recklessly engaged in conduct that placed others in danger of death or serious bodily injury by allowing a vehicle to pass the annual safety inspection when its brake lines and rocker panels were rusted, corroded and in a visibly unsafe condition. Allowing the vehicle to pass inspection risked harm to the operator, any passengers and other persons using Vermont’s roads. The vehicle was subsequently involved in a crash in July 2014 during which a passenger, Elizabeth Ibey, 82 of Barre Town, suffered fatal injuries.
Jalbert was sentenced to six to 18 months imprisonment, all suspended but for 90 days pre-approved furlough to home confinement. He is required to participate in the reparative program and must cooperate with Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in communicating potential consequences for failure to properly conduct motor vehicle safety inspections.
The original charges included manslaughter. At the change of plea and sentencing on Friday, the Attorney General’s Office noted that this was the first criminal prosecution in Vermont arising out of the failure to properly conduct a motor vehicle safety inspection. The safety inspection program is intended to ensure the safety of vehicles on Vermont’s roads. The failure to properly conduct such inspections poses a risk of harm to all who travel the roads and may result in criminal investigation and prosecution.
The case investigated by the Enforcement and Safety Division of DMV and the Barre City Police Department.
Published: Jun 14, 2016