Press Releases

Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time.

11/22/21

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel periods for America. With more drivers on the roads than usual, the likelihood of a motor vehicle crash will increase. With this in mind, the Windham County Highway Safety Task Force (consisting of the Bellows Falls Police Department, Brattleboro Police Department, Dover Police Department and the Windham County Sheriff's Office) will be joining agencies throughout Vermont and the country to make sure you make it to the table this Thanksgiving.

During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2019 (6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, to 5:59 a.m. on Monday, December 2), there were 279 passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes across the nation. More than half (54%) were unrestrained. Nighttime proved even more deadly, with 52% of Thanksgiving weekend crashes occurring at night. These deaths represent needless tragedies for families across America and may have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt.

“Thanksgiving is a time for celebrating gratitude with loved ones, and we want to make sure our community members and guests arrive at their Thanksgiving destinations as safely as possible,” said Sgt. Norton “Whether you’re driving 10 minutes to the Thanksgiving dinner table, or 10 hours, it’s critical that drivers and passengers Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. We want everyone to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, so please, make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled before you ever turn on the car — and that includes children being in the correct car seats, too,” he said.

For more information about traveling safely this Thanksgiving, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts.

###

Incident: 21WHC004440
Date: 11/01/21
Location: Main St, Grafton
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton #166

Accused: D. Scott Lawrence
Age: 67
City/State of Residence: Grafton, VT

Charges: 1) Negligent Operation of Motor Vehicle
2) Excessive Speed

Description: On 11/01/21 D. Scott Lawrence was arrested by the Windham County Sheriff's Office after Sgt. Norton observed the vehicle driving at a very high rate of speed on Townshend/Grafton Rd both in Townshend and Grafton (85/50, 75/40 and 50/25) and failing to stop for the stop sign at the intersection of Townshend Rd and Main St in Grafton. Mr. Lawrence was released on a citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division and a VCVC for the civil speeding violations.

Court Date: 12/21/21
Bail: N/A

###

Incident: 21WHC004370
Date: 10/27/2021
Location: Route 11, Londonderry
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Belville

Accused: Ryan K. Duddy
Age: 22
City & State of Residence: Manchester Center, VT

Charges: Negligent Operation

Description: The Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested Ryan K. Duddy after he was observed passing three vehicles in the opposite lane of travel, almost causing a head-on collision on Route 11 in Londonderry.

He was released on a citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court: Criminal Division. He was also issued a traffic ticket for Limitations on Passing, which includes a potential penalty of $220 and 3 points.

Court Date: 11/30/2021
Bail: N/A

###

Incident: 21WHC004334
Date: 10/25/2021
Location: Route 11, Londonderry
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Belville

Accused: Anthony J. Derosa
Age: 39
City & State of Residence: Amherst, NY

Charges: Excessive Speed

Description: The Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested Anthony J. Derosa after he was observed traveling 60mph within a 30mph speed zone on Route 11 in Londonderry. He was released on a citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court: Criminal Division. He was also issued a traffic ticket for the civil speeding violation, which includes a potential penalty of $323 and 5 points.

Court Date: 11/30/2021
Bail: N/A

###

Incident: 21WHC004306
Date: 10/21/21
Location: I 91 N, MM 14.2
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton #166

Accused: Youthful Offender
Age: 18
City & State of Residence: Media, PA

Charges: Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle

Description: On 10/21/21 at approximately 1748 hours the Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested a Youthful Offender after the Youthful Offender was observed passing the deputy from behind at 88 mph all the while the youthful offenders hands were not on the steering wheel and not watching the roadway while having a conversation with the passenger of the vehicle. The youthful offender was released on a citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court, Family Division at a later date and a traffic ticket for the civil speeding violation.

Court Date: 12/09/21
Bail: N/A

###

Incident: 21WHC004289
Date: 10/21/21
Location: VT Route 11/Chester Rd, Springfield
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton #166

Accused: Youthful Offender
Age: 18
City & State of Residence: Chester, VT

Charges: Excessive Speed (85/50)

Description: On 10/21/21 at approximately 1224 hours a Youthful Offender was arrested by the Windham County Sheriff's Office for Excessive Speed after the deputy observed the vehicle traveling at 85 mph in the posted 50 mph zone. The Youthful Offender was released on a citation to appear in the Windsor Superior Court, Family Division at a later date and a VCVC for the civil speeding violation.

Court Date: 12/01/21
Bail: N/A

###

Incident: 21WHC004283
Date: 10/21/2021
Location: Route 11 at Route 100 North
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Belville

Operator #1: Jeremy A. Chaplin Jr.
Age: 23
City & State of Residence: Bennington, VT

Operator #2: Kayla A. Curtis
Age: 30
City & State of Residence: Langdon, NH

Vehicle #1: 2014 Dodge Caravan, VT Registration HWH811.

Vehicle #2: 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, NH Registration 4835423.

Description: On 10/21/21 at approximately 0859 hours, the Windham County Sheriff's Office was alerted of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Route 11 and Route 100 North in Londonderry.

It was determined that Vehicle #1 had crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic, colliding head-on with Vehicle #2. Both operators and a single passenger were wearing their seat belts and didn't require medical attention.

As a result of this investigation, Chaplin was issued two Vermont Civil Violation Complaints for Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic: Accident Resulting, which carries a fine of $220 and 4 points as well as Operating Without a License, which carries a fine of $162 and 2 points.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene via Benny's Towing of Chester, VT.

The Windham County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Londonderry Fire Department.

###

Incident: 21WHC004181
Date: 10/14/21
Location: I 91 N/B MM 68, Hartford
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton #166

Accused: Breige A Reilly
Age: 32
City & State of Residence: Charlestown, NH

Charges: 1) Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
2) Excessive Speed

Description: On 10/14/21 at approximately 0655 hours Breige Reilly was arrested by the Windham County Sheriff's Office after Sgt. Norton observed the vehicle Breige was operating traveling up behind him at 101 mph in the posted 65 mph zone. Visibility at the time was diminished to fog. Breige was release on a citation to appear in the Windsor Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date. She was also issued a VT Civil Violation Complaint for the civil speeding violation.


Court Date: 12/07/21
Bail: N/A

###

Incident: 21WHC004130
Date: 10/12/2021
Location: Winhall Station Road, Londonderry
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Belville

Accused: Jacob M. Topping
Age: 25
City & State of Residence: Jamaica, VT

Charges: Operating Without a License

Description: On 10/12/2021 at approximately 0700 hours, the Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested Jacob M. Topping for the above offense after the vehicle he was operating was stopped for a traffic violation. He was released on a citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date.


Court Date: 11/23/2021
Bail: N/A

###

Have you seen a Sheriff’s Department Cruiser with solid blue lights in your neighborhood?

As a part of our dedication to better serve you in providing community policing, we have begun ‘Blue Light Patrols’ in Putney and Westminster. Starting in October our deputies will be patrolling your neighborhoods after sunset at low speeds with solid, non-flashing, blue lights. ‘Blue Light Patrols’ provide more visibility of our night patrols in your community. The goal of these patrols are to make the residents feel safe knowing that we are out there and be a strong visible deterrent to any criminal activities. If you encounter a Windham County Sheriff’s Office cruiser with solid, non-flashing, blue lights you do not need to take any action, motorists do not need to pull over unless the blue lights are flashing and/or there is an audible siren.

If you have any questions or feedback on the ‘Blue Light Patrol’ program please contact Corporal Bryan Jalava at (802)365-4940 or bjalava@windhamcountyvt.gov

###