Woodstock Early Bird The Early Bird Gets the Worm: earlybirdtips@gmail.com

Update: Vermont State Police,  have not issued an update as yet on the continuing condition of those transported to DHMC.   We fear the worst but have not received official confirmation.

We also have NO  report from VSP as to the cause of the head-on collision. There are lots of rumors out there, both in comments on this blog and on the street. Woodstock Early Bird would caution against jumping to any conclusions (even if the information may be from well-placed sources)  while we let authorities conduct their professional business. It does not serve us well to “point fingers” based on limited knowledge. Obviously, this is an outright horrible tragedy both for the Nevada family involved in one vehicle, but also for the Rutland couple in the other vehicle.  We can speculate about curves in the road or straightaways or texting or distractions or passing when unsafe and so on, but Woodstock Early Bird is particulary dedicated to NOT printing this kind of “theory” in what is meant to be a news blog based on facts.  We also have learned over the past few months that true deliberate blame cannot always be definitively assigned. Sometimes tragic accidents happen and it makes no difference what the particulars turn out to be.   WEB

Vermont State Police report two Las Vegas, Nevada residents are dead following an accident on Route 4 in Bridgewater. As VSP reports there were multiple people hurt in the two-car accident, all with varying degrees of serious to critical injuries.

Updated 1/16/12 : The VSP Press Release does not mention that Woodstock Emergency Services was also a responding agency with its fire and rescue responders first on the scene after the Bridgewater Fast Squad. We salute them for their service every day but in particular for these harder calls. While Woodstock Early Bird is not generally a “hugger” (it ruffles the feathers) we recommend giving out a hug or two if you see a Woodstock fire or ambulance volunteer today!

DOUBLE FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

CASE#: 12D300227

INVESTIGATING TROOPER: McNeice

STATION: Royalton

CONTACT#: 802-234-9933

DATE/TIME: 01/15/12 @ 1226 hrs.

LOCATION (specific): 586 US Route 4
Bridgewater, VT

VEHICLE #1 OPERATOR: Joshua Ouimette

AGE: 25

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland, VT

DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE: 2004 GMC Envoy

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE: Totalled

VEHICLE #2 OPERATOR: Christopher Raleigh

AGE: 56

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Las Vegas, NV

DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE: 2001 Ford Escape

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE: Totalled

INJURIES

V # / NAME / CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE / AGE / NATURE OF INJURY

1 / Joshua Ouimette / Rutland, VT / 25 / Severe but non life threatening

1 / Stephanie Hill / Rutland, VT / 28 / Severe but non life threatening

1 / 6 month old infant / Not injured

2 / Christopher Raleigh / Las Vegas, NV / 56 / Fatal-deceased (NO SEAT BELT)

2 / Travis Raleigh / Las Vegas, NV / 10 / Fatal-deceased

2 / James Raleigh / Las Vegas, NV / 13 / Minor injuries

2 / Anastasia Raleigh / Las Vegas, NV / 47 / Critical. Severe head and internal injuries. (NO SEAT BELT)

HOSPITAL: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

WEATHER: Clear, dry, cold.

ROAD COND: Dry, paved blacktop.

SUMMARY OF CRASH:

The Vermont State Police are investigating a two-car motor vehicle crash on US Route 4 in Bridgewater. As a result of this crash, a 56 year old male, Christopher Raleigh, and his 10 year old son, Travis sustained fatal injuries and were both pronounced deceased at the scene.

All parties were transported to DHMC except for the 6 month old infant who was not injured and was secured in a child safety seat. Members of the DHART air rescue team, Bridgewater Fire Department, Killington Fire Department, and Windsor County Sheriff’s Department all responded to the scene along with the VT State Police.

All parties had to be extricated from both vehicles by the fire department prior to being transported to the hospital.
At the time of this press release, members of the Vermont State Police Crash Reconstruction Team are on scene reconstructing the crash.

Initial investigation shows that V1 crossed over the center line hitting V2 head on. Alcohol or drugs do not appear to have played a role in this crash. It appears that Travis Raleigh, who was seated in the rear of V2, was wearing his seat belt. Christopher Raleigh and Anastasia Raleigh were not wearing their seat belts.

This crash remain under investigation and more information will be released when available.