VERMONT STATE POLICE
PRESS RELEASE
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
TROOPER: Sgt. Mike Sorensen STATION: Brattleboro CONTACT#: (802)254-2382
DATE/TIME: 03/24/08 1336 hours
LOCATION (specific): I91 MM4/15 Northbound, Town of Vernon
VEHICLE #1 OPERATOR: Lawrence Miller
AGE: 45
SEAT BELT? Yes
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Troy, NY
DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE: 1993 Mack Tractor Trailer/1994 Fruehauf Trailer
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE: Moderate undercarriage damage to trailer
VEHICLE #2 OPERATOR: James Ault AGE: 61 SEAT BELT? Yes
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Florence, MA
DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE: 1997 Honda Accord
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE: Totaled - hood, roof, undercarriage
INJURIES
V2/OP#2/Florence, MA/61/Yes/Minor neck, scratches, contusions
HOSPITAL: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
WEATHER: Clear
ROAD COND: Dry
SUMMARY OF CRASH: On 03/24/08 at approximately 1336 hours the Vermont State Police, Guilford Fire Department, Rescue Inc. and the Brattleboro Fire Department were dispatched to a report of a car that had driven under a tractor trailer on I91 in the area of milemarker 4 northbound.
Investigation revealed that Lawrenc Miller, 45, of Troy, NY, had been traveling north on I91, when he realized that he had missed the exit for the Massachusetts Turnpike. Miller decided to make a U-Turn in the area of milemarker 4. He slowed his vehicle in the right lane, and then signalled that he was going to make a turn.
As Miller made the turn into the U-Turn area, James Ault, 61, of Florence, MA, who was also northbound pulled out to pass Miller. As Miller turned into the U-Turn, Ault applied his brakes and skidded for approximately 200 feet before striking Miller's trailer just behind the trailer's landing gear. Both vehicles came to rest partially in the U-Turn and partially in the northbound passing lane, with Ault's car partially under Miller's trailer.
Miller was not injured as a result of the crash. Ault was able to extricate himself from his vehicle and was transported to the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital by Rescue Inc. He was treated and released for minor injuries to include neck stiffness and a scratch on the left side of his face.
Miller was cited to appear in Windham District Court on 04/29/08 to face the charge of Negligent Operation. A commercial motor vehicle inspection completed by Sgt. Chris Buckley and Sgt. Mike Roj of the Vermont State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Team resulted in several violations. Macy's Light Delivery Inc., the owner of Miller's truck, received Vermont Traffic Complaints for equipment violations to include a cracked frame on the tractor, defective tires, trailer brakes that were out of adjustment and a cracked brake pad.
The Guilford Fire Department stood by until Ault's car was extricated from under the trailer. Miller' tractor trailer was placed out of service due to the equipment violations listed and was removed from the scene by Rick's Towing. Ault's car was removed from the scene by Marlboro Collision.