Vermont Business Magazine Troopers from Vermont State Police barracks throughout the state responded to numerous vehicle crashes, slide-offs and other weather-related incidents during the season’s first widespread snowstorm on Monday, November 13, 2018. The incidents included a fatal two-car crash in Sharon (please see separate news release below for case number 18B204904) in which one passenger was killed, and a three-vehicle collision involving a school bus in Newbury (please see separate news release below for case number 18A406242) in which five passengers from Newbury Elementary School were brought to the hospital as a precaution.
In all, the state police handled more than 75 motor-vehicle crashes and slide-offs from midnight through mid-afternoon. In most cases, no injuries or minor injuries were reported. Troopers also responded to a number of other weather-related incidents such as downed trees and power lines.
The state police wish to remind motorists to slow down, leave extra distance between vehicles, allow plenty of time to get to your destination, and clear off all snow and ice from windows and roofs.
CASE#: 18B204904
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Jeremy Lyon
STATION: VSP Royalton
CONTACT#: 802-234-9933
DATE/TIME: 11/13/18 at approximately 0657 hrs
STREET: Vermont Route 14
TOWN: Sharon
LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: Sharhart Road
INTERSTATE MILE MARKER:
WEATHER: Snow/Sleet
ROAD CONDITIONS: Ice/Snow/Slush
VEHICLE #1
OPERATOR: Janice Boice
AGE: 56
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: White River Junction, VT
VEHICLE YEAR: 2005
VEHICLE MAKE: Toyota
VEHICLE MODEL: Matrix
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Front end impact damage and front passenger door impact
INJURIES: Fatal injuries to passenger
HOSPITAL: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
VEHICLE #2
OPERATOR: Timothy Smajla
AGE: 36
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Stratford, CT
VEHICLE YEAR: 2009
VEHICLE MAKE: International
VEHICLE MODEL: 7300 Box Truck
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Front end right side impact damage
INJURIES: None
HOSPITAL: NA
SUMMARY OF CRASH:
On 11/13/18 at approximately 0657 hrs, Troopers from the Vermont State Police -
Royalton Barracks responded to a reported two car collision involving a car and
a box truck on Vermont Route 14 in the Town of Sharon. The passenger of Vehicle
#1, 25 year old Alisha Boice of White River Junction had to be extricated from
the vehicle and transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Boice was
later pronounced deceased at the hospital. Troopers are currently investigating
the crash. Poor weather and road conditions were contributing factors in the
crash.
CASE#:18A406242
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Luke Rodzel
STATION: St. Johnsbury Barracks
CONTACT#: (802)222-4680
DATE/TIME: November 13, 2018 at approximately 0733 hours
STREET: Route 5
TOWN: Newbury
CROSS STREETS: Snake Rd
WEATHER: Heavy Snow
ROAD CONDITIONS: Icy, wet
VEHICLE #1
OPERATOR: Pauline Bonanno
AGE: 58
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Haverhill, NH
VEHICLE YEAR: 2016
VEHICLE MAKE: Jeep
VEHICLE MODEL: Compass
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Minor damage to rear driver side
INJURIES: No injuries
HOSPITAL: N/A
VEHICLE #2
OPERATOR: Scott Mathews
AGE: 45
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Haverhill, NH
VEHICLE YEAR: 2004
VEHICLE MAKE: GMC
VEHICLE MODEL: 1500
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Minor damage to the front passenger side
INJURIES: No injuries
HOSPITAL: N/A
VEHICLE #3
OPERATOR: William Jones
AGE: 51
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Piermont, NH
VEHICLE YEAR: 2015
VEHICLE MAKE: PU
VEHICLE MODEL: BUS
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #3: Minor damage to rear driver's side
INJURIES: 5 juvenilles transported as a precaution
HOSPITAL: N/A
SUMMARY OF CRASH:
On November 13, 2018 at approximately 0733 hours Troopers from the St.
Johnsbury Barracks responded to a report of a vehicle off the road on Route 5
north of Snake Rd in Newbury. Upon further investigation it was discovered that
the vehicle that was initially reported was actually involved in a 3 vehicle
crash involving a Newbury Elementary School Bus.
Troopers determined that Pauline Bonanno was travelling south bound on Route 5
when she came around a corner and saw the School Bus driving north on Route 5.
Upon seeing the School Bus she attempted to make more room on the road for the
bus to get by, but lost control of her vehicle as she hit a patch of ice.
The vehicle behind Bonanno, operated by Scott Mathew, in an attempt to avoid
hitting her applied the brakes and turned slightly left. Mathew lost control
when he drove over the same patch of ice, causing his front right side of the
vehicle to hit the rear left side of Bonanno's vehicle.
Mathew's vehicle continued to slide striking the rear left side of the School
Bus. The School Bus' operator, William Jones, immediately pulled over and
ensured all occupants were safe. As a precaution, five juvenilles that were
sitting in the rear of the bus were transported by Woodsville Ambulance to the
local area hospital.