STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
CASE#: 24A1001974
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Blaz Mihaljevic
STATION: Williston Barracks
CONTACT#: (802)878-7111
DATE/TIME: March 20th, 2024, at 1024 hours.
STREET: Interstate 89 North
TOWN: Williston
LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: N/A
INTERSTATE MILE MARKER: MM 79.6
WEATHER: Heavy Snow Fall
ROAD CONDITIONS: Snow Covered
VEHICLE #1
OPERATOR: Frank Suarez
AGE: 51
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Miami, FL
VEHICLE YEAR: 2007
VEHICLE MAKE: Volvo Truck
VEHICLE MODEL: VNL
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Heavy Front End Damage
INJURIES: Suspected Minor Injuries
HOSPITAL: UVM Medical Center
SUMMARY OF CRASH:
On March 20, 2024, at approximately 1024 hours, Vermont State Police dispatch received multiple 911 calls for reports of a TT unit that jack-knifed on Interstate 89 at mile marker 79.6 in the town of Williston blocking the flow of traffic.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the operator was going too fast for road conditions. The result of this crash caused several other vehicles to initiate emergency stops. This resulted in several other crashes including a sprinter van into a TT unit, a dump truck going off into the median, a passenger vehicle into a TT unit and lastly a separate TT unit jack-knifed. One individual was transported to UVM Medical center for suspected minor injuries.
The result of this crash caused Interstate 89 to be shut down from Exit 11 Northbound to Mile Marker 79.6 Northbound for approximately 3 hours while emergency crews and vehicle wreckers worked on clearing the roadway.
During this time, road conditions were snowy, and visibility was poor. Vermont State Police would like to remind the public to be vigilant while driving during poor roadway conditions and to keep a safe distance between them and the vehicle in front of them.
Vermont State Police would like to thank all agencies that assisted during the time of this crash to include the Williston Police Department, South Burlington Police, DMV Enforcement, Williston Fire & Rescue and Richmond Rescue.
