Public Safety

Wrong way driver on I-89 for 20 miles

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By Mike Donoghue
Vermont News First

ROYALTON —  A New York man, who state police say drove in the wrong direction for at least 20 miles on Interstate 89 on Sunday, is facing a charge of gross negligent operation.

Dezhong Jiang, 58, of Flushing, N.Y.

Dezhong Jiang, 58, of Flushing, N.Y. was driving south in the northbound lane and nearly caused at least one head-on crash before state police got him stopped in Royalton near the exit 3 interchange about 2 a.m. Sunday, police said.

Jiang is believed to have started going in the wrong direction in either Berlin near exit 6 or Northfield near exit 5, according to Sgt. Austin Soule, a patrol commander from the Royalton barracks.

He continued south in the northbound lane until the stop was made safely by police, Soule said.  He said both lanes were blocked off and Jiang slowed to a stop upon seeing the blue lights and hearing sirens.

There was no sign of impairment and that may have helped bring the incident to a successful conclusion, Soule told Vermont News First.  He said Jiang appeared to just be confused about the highway.

Jiang was taken into custody without incident and transported to the State Police barracks in Royalton for processing.  While Jiang spoke some English, a translator was used to ensure he fully understood the case, Soule said.

State police said they released Jiang with a citation ordering him to appear in Vermont Superior Court in Woodstock on Sept. 2 for the gross negligent operation charge.

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Categories: Public Safety

5 replies »

  1. Maybe he should not be driving if he can’t read the signs??? Did he have a valid license?? And people wonder why insurance rates are going up….

  2. Was he an Illegal???? What’s the secret? Oh yeah…..VT can’t ask. I hope Trump & Co. nails VT for that and him if applicable. “….just confused about the highway”????? Sorry, that type of confusion KILLS. But what the heck – as long as he’s not being “victimized”. Only the Americans on the road were that day.

    And by the way – HOW did he get back to Flushing once he was released, may I inquire?? Drove himself home? Brilliant, Vermont!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Why would you automatically assume he is illegal?

      If you live in the area you would know that at both Exit 6 and 5, you can easily mistake the northbound exit for an entrance if it is dark and you are unfamiliar with the area. There is no “median” to guide you into the proper entrance lane, such as at exit 7.

      It wouldn’t hurt to be a bit more forgiving and kind.

  3. Maybe what happened is that when he realized he was in Vermont, he thought he was in the Left lane which will typically take you in the wrong direction, despite all warning signs.

  4. This has a LOT to do with requiring all drivers to understand English before getting licensed. I think it’s already required for CDL drivers. Nobody wants to talk about it because that would be “inappropriate”.