Vermont Highway Patrol

10/31/2026

Congratulations to our very own K9 Edo!!

10/30/2026

10/27/2026

Vermont Highway Patrol
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27,2026

SUBJECT: Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash
DATE / TIME OF INCIDENT: 10-27-26 @ 06:12 Hours.
INCIDENT NUMBER: 26HP012181
TYPE OF EVENT(S): Commercial Vehicle Crash
LOCATION OF EVENT(S): VT Route 100 Newport Town, VT.
INVESTIGATING INSPECTOR(S): Inspector Cotnoir and Lieutenant Jacobs
SUMMARY:
On 10/27/2026 at approximately 06:12 hours, the Vermont Highway Patrol were dispatched to the report of a commercial vehicle crash on Rt 100 in Newport Town. Upon arrival of the scene, Inspectors found a dump truck off the roadway entangled in utility lines. The commercial vehicle is owned by Five Star Construction and was operated by Allen Charland, 53 of Westfield, VT. Charland stated that he had raised the dump body of the commercial vehicle and had forgotten to lower it. While traveling down Rt 100, he struck utility lines which caused his vehicle to leave the roadway. The crash caused substantial damage to the utility lines and poles in the area which caused the roadway to be closed for several hours while crews worked to clear the scene. The Vermont Highway Patrol completed an at scene crash investigation and a post-crash inspection of the commercial vehicle.
The Vermont Highway Patrol was assisted by the Newport Center Fire Department.
For more information about a specific incident, please contact DMV HQ at 802-828-2078.

10/23/2026

Vermont Highway Patrol
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2026
SUBJECT: Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash
DATE/TIME OF INCIDENT: 10/16/26 at 12:57 p.m.
INCIDENT NUMBER: 26HP011860
TYPE OF EVENT(S): Commercial Vehicle Crash
LOCATION OF EVENT(S): 78 Route 132 Strafford, VT
INVESTIGATING INSPECTOR(S): Lieutenant Jacobs
SUMMARY:
On 10/16/2026 at approximately 12:57 hours, The Vermont Highway Patrol responded to a single commercial vehicle crash with injuries. Upon arrival of the scene, Lieutenant Jacobs determined that a 2020 Mack straight truck had been operated by Mitchell Horton, 39 of Cavendish, VT. Horton had failed to navigate a series of corners and had left the roadway, the commercial vehicle traveled down an embankment where it partially overturned and struck a tree. Horton sustained injuries as a result of the crash and was transported from the scene by emergency medical personnel. The commercial vehicle was owned by Casella Waste Management. As a result of the crash investigation, Horton was issued a VCVC for “driving on roadways laned for traffic” which is a violation of Vermont Title 23 VSA 1038.
The Vermont Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Strafford Fire Department and Sabil and Sons towing.

10/13/2026

Today, members of the Vermont Highway Patrol joined the Massachusetts State Police in support of Operation Wicked Safe, a multi-state traffic safety initiative taking place October 13–15, 2026.

This coordinated effort focuses on reducing dangerous driving behaviors, including excessive speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and aggressive driving.

Working together across state lines to keep our roadways safe!

10/06/2026

Agency of Transportation 2026 “Name a Plow” Program

AOT is once again inviting Vermont schools to name the State’s big orange snowplows.

To enter the Name a Plow program, the school’s principal or director should complete the online form on the Name a Plow webpage at https://vtrans.vermont.gov/name-a-plow

• Each school may submit only one name. This is not a contest. Every school that submits a name will participate. (First come, first served to name the 250 trucks.)

• If a school already has a named truck, the school may opt to keep the existing name or submit a new name.

• The principal/director must review the name to ensure that it is appropriate. No political or religious references, and no potentially offensive names.

• The principal/director must complete the entire form and be sure to submit an alternate name in case the first-choice name is already taken by another school.

• Each school’s plow name will be assigned to a plow truck at a Maintenance District garage. The sign on the truck will include the plow name and the school that named it.

The deadline to submit a name is October 30, 2026.

AOT Maintenance District plow operators will visit the schools that name a truck this year on Tuesday, November 10, at 9:00 a.m. (weather permitting) to celebrate Vermont Plow Day. Schools are invited to take photos of their students and staff with the plow truck and name sign.

“Our Name a Plow program has been a great success and a lot of fun for Vermont students and our maintenance teams,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “The program is also an effective way to teach young Vermonters about the important work that our maintenance crews do to keep the roads safe for travel throughout the winter.”

AOT’s Name a Plow program began in 2021, when public and private schools, preschools, and homeschooling students named the State’s full-sized plow trucks for the first time in Vermont history. The program is now offered every two years.

10/03/2026

09/28/2026

Earlier today, we said goodbye to one of our own.

K9 Jonah (Ret.) passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family. For nearly nine years, K9 Jonah faithfully served alongside Lt. Tyler Jacobs, forming a partnership that made a lasting impact on our department and our community.

Throughout his career, K9 Jonah was credited with countless successful deployments. From apprehending criminals and locating missing or lost persons, to finding drugs, fi****ms, and other evidence of crimes, Jonah consistently demonstrated his dedication, courage, and unwavering commitment to the job.

But K9 Jonah was more than a department asset—he was a member of our team and a beloved partner. He touched the lives of many people along the way, both through his work and through the special bond he shared with those who knew him.

K9 Jonah leaves behind a legacy of faithful service, countless memories, and paw prints on the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Rest easy, Jonah. Your watch is over. You will be truly missed, but never forgotten. 🐾💙

The Vermont Highway Patrol would like the thank the Vermont Police Canine Association and Island Memorial for their unwavering support and generosity during our challenging times.

09/22/2026

Vermont Highway Patrol
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2026

SUBJECT: Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash
DATE/TIME OF INCIDENT: 9/21/2026 at approximately 3:10 p.m.
INCIDENT NUMBER: 26HP010803
TYPE OF EVENT(S): Single Tractor Trailer Unit Crash
LOCATION OF EVENT(S): 4763 Vermont Route 9, Woodford
INVESTIGATING INSPECTOR(S): Verdall Cole

SUMMARY:
*******ROAD CLOSURE***********
Vermont Route 9 in both directions from Bennington to Vermont Route 8 in Searsburg will remain closed for an extended period of time while the State Hazmat Team and containments crews continue to work on the transfer of flammable hazardous material to another tanker. Motorists should seek an alternate route for the morning commute.
***************************
On 9/21/2026, at approximately 3:10 p.m. there was a single tractor -railer unit crash involving a 2023 Peterbilt operated by James Craig, 52, and owned by Action Resources LLC (USDOT 680185) of Birmingham, AL. The crash occurred near 4763 Vt Route 9 in Woodford. There were no injuries.
Vermont State Hazmat, Bennington Fire Department, and Vermont State Police assisted with this crash.

This is an informational post made in the interest of transparency and public awareness of the activities of the Vermont Highway Patrol. For more information about a specific incident, please contact VHP HQ at 802-828-2078.