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By VDC staff
A New Jersey man faces a federal human smuggling charge after U.S. Border Patrol agents found six people hiding inside his SUV near the Canadian border, the Newport Dispatch reports.
Edwin Enrique Menjivar, 54, of Newark, New Jersey, was charged with transporting people who had entered the United States unlawfully. Agents patrolling Holland on Aug. 24 stopped Menjivar’s SUV on a rural dirt road previously associated with cross-border smuggling, according to court records. Agents allegedly found one person crouched on the front passenger floor, three hiding under blankets in the second row and two concealed beneath a blanket in the third row. Authorities identified the six as nationals of Mexico, Ecuador and China.
Menjivar appeared Aug. 25 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle and was released on conditions pending trial. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
….Douglas Knapp pleaded not guilty Thursday to negligent operation with death resulting in connection with the July 16 crash that killed 16-year-old e-bike rider Shiloh Skalka, WCAX reported.
Police say Skalka activated flashing crosswalk lights before attempting to cross Pine Street from Locust Street. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the lights still flashing as Knapp’s Dodge Caravan approached and struck her. Skalka later died from blunt-force injuries. Investigators estimated Knapp was traveling about 28 MPH in a 25 MPH zone and concluded that greater attentiveness could have prevented the collision.
….Vermont State Police arrested Rachele Kyhill, 25, of Rutland following an alleged armed threat during a dispute in Mendon Saturday evening.
Troopers responded at about 6:08 PM Aug. 29 to the area of Killington Avenue and Notch Road. Police allege Kyhill, while armed with a deadly weapon, threatened to use it against Peter Mueller, 53, of Rutland. Kyhill was located the following day, taken into custody and transported to the Rutland Barracks for processing.
….An Arkansas man was cited after Vermont State Police say he was clocked traveling 106 MPH on Interstate 89 in Colchester.
Police say Mian Asif, 34, of Greenwood, Arkansas, was driving north near mile marker 95 at about 11:22 PM Friday when radar recorded him at 106 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. Asif was cited for negligent operation and excessive speed and issued a $613 civil ticket carrying two points.
…..In South Burlington, a Massachusetts driver was cited after allegedly traveling 104 MPH in a 55 MPH safety corridor on Interstate 89 late Sunday.
Vermont State Police say Bran James, 20, of Hull, Massachusetts, was clocked at 104 MPH near mile marker 88 at about 11:42 PM Aug. 30. James was cited for negligent operation and ordered to appear in Chittenden County Superior Court on Oct. 8 at 8:30 AM. He also received a $724 civil ticket carrying two points.
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Categories: Police Blotter
Regarding the tragic death of the bicyclist in Burlington, surely a greater level of awareness on the part of the vehicle operator would have prevented it. Since the bicyclist made use of the warning lights, there seems to be no excuse for failing to notice her. However, the flashing pedestrian crossing lights that have sprouted like mushrooms in the area may create a false sense of security. The right of way for pedestrians at a crosswalk is established traffic law, but before the lights, a crosser was always wise to make eye contact with the operator of an approaching vehicle to assure they are seen and it is slowing or stopping. I think the lights have reduced the tendency for some pedestrians to ascertain that they are seen and they now simply proceed to cross. Even with the obvious light show, some drivers are preoccupied by distractions or simply on mental autopilot. The low citywide speed limit also causes some drivers to use cruise control. The laws of traffic are often ignored, either purposely or by negligence but the laws of physics are inviolate. Not blaming the victim here, but pressing the button to activate those pedestrian warning lights should never be an excuse to assume drivers are paying attention.