Wrong-way driver on I-91 narrowly misses Trooper

On June 30, 2024, at 7:57 PM, Vermont State Police in St. Johnsbury received alarming reports of a Subaru speeding the wrong way on I-91 North near mile marker 133. Witnesses described the vehicle heading southbound in the northbound lanes at a high rate of speed.

Troopers quickly responded, spotting a silver 2014 Subaru Outback in the passing lane, defying traffic. With sirens blaring and emergency lights flashing, they attempted to halt the vehicle and alert oncoming drivers.

Despite their efforts, the Subaru continued southbound, narrowly missing a head-on collision with a Trooper’s cruiser by mere feet, traveling at an estimated 65 mph. The wrong-way driver then swerved across lanes to the Exit 21 on-ramp from US-2 East, continuing west in the eastbound lanes of US-2, blatantly ignoring “WRONG WAY” signs.

Troopers intercepted the vehicle on the US-2/I-91 overpass, successfully conducting a traffic stop. The driver, identified as 56-year-old David Capaccioli of Plainfield, VT, exhibited clear signs of impairment. He was arrested and taken to the St. Johnsbury Barracks for processing.

Capaccioli is scheduled to appear in Caledonia County Superior Court on July 8, at 8:30 AM. Dashcam footage capturing the near-miss incident is seen below:

Man flees scene after near-collision with police cruiser in Washington, VT

Sunday, June 30, at 9:45 AM, VSP responded to reports of a potential overdose involving two occupants in a vehicle on Tilton Road, Washington. The driver, later identified as Andrew Brace, 39, of St. Albans, fled the scene as EMS arrived.

Brace was soon spotted pulling into a driveway on VT Rt 110. When troopers attempted to make contact, he reversed, nearly hitting a State Police cruiser, and collided with a homeowner’s vehicle before speeding off northbound towards Barre.

Despite efforts from troopers and surrounding agencies, Brace remains at large. He is described as 5’11”, approximately 220 lbs, wearing a black t-shirt and a baseball cap. The vehicle is a dark blue Genesis G80 with a mismatched Vermont license plate.

The Vermont State Police Berlin Barracks urge anyone with information to call 802-229-9191 or leave an anonymous tip on their webpage.

Fatal head-on collision on I-89 in Montpelier

Wednesday, June 26, about 7:37 in the evening, a tragic two-vehicle collision happened on Interstate 89 southbound near Exit 8 in Montpelier. The crash, which took place under clear weather and road conditions, resulted in one fatality and one serious injury.

Jason Ball, 50, of Barre, VT, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu northbound when his vehicle crossed the median and entered the southbound lane, colliding head-on with a 2016 Honda CR-V driven by Kelly Pelletier, 46, of Plainfield, VT. Ball, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Pelletier, who was wearing a seatbelt, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Central Vermont Medical Center.

The Vermont State Police Berlin Barracks and Crash Reconstruction Team are investigating the incident.

Line worker seriously injured in Arlington accident

On Thursday, June 27, around 4:40 PM, a serious injury accident occurred on Vermont Route 7A near Dunham Road in Arlington. Jonathan Abner, 44, of New Richmond, Ohio, a line worker for Northline Utilities, was critically injured while performing contract work for Green Mountain Power.

Abner contacted an energized power line, resulting in severe burns. He was airlifted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where he remains in critical but stable condition as of Saturday afternoon.

The Vermont State Police are investigating the incident, which does not appear suspicious. The case has been reported to Vermont’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA) for further review.