by VDC staff

Two Vermonters died in recent crashes, while police are investigating alleged assaults in Washington, Addison and Windham counties.

On Sept. 23 at 9:32 p.m., troopers from the Berlin Barracks responded to a single-motorcycle crash on U.S. Route 2 near Onion River Road in Marshfield. The operator, Christopher Skinner, 40, of Plainfield, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene despite CPR efforts. Police said Skinner was traveling east on a 2004 Suzuki GSX600FK when he failed to navigate a left curve, struck road signs, a guardrail and a parked vehicle, and was ejected. The crash occurred in foggy, wet conditions. Witnesses are asked to call the Berlin Barracks at 802-229-9191.

Teen dies in Lyndon crash – Vermont State Police say speed was a factor in a single-car crash in Lyndon on Sunday that killed a teen and injured four others. Aiden Anderson, 18, of St. Johnsbury, died after he was transported to DHMC with life-threatening injuries, police said.

Police said a 2008 Honda Accord driven by a 16-year-old Lyndon male was headed west on Old Bradley Road when it failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Crepeault Hill Road. The car crossed the roadway, struck a large tree, and came to rest in a field. The driver and two 14-year-old passengers, both of Lyndon, sustained minor or non-life-threatening injuries. Another passenger, Raylyn Collins, 22, of St. Johnsbury, was taken to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Vehicle fire and rollover in Coventry
At 5:54 p.m. on Sept. 23, state police responded to a single-vehicle rollover on I-91 south near mile marker 165 in Coventry. A 2004 Toyota Highlander driven by Kelsey Vanderley, 29, of Burlington, rolled and became engulfed in flames. Vanderley, who was ejected from the vehicle, was taken to North Country Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

Waitsfield woman charged in assault case
On Sept. 23 at about 6 p.m., troopers arrested Darcy Lee, 43, of Waitsfield, on a charge of accessory after the fact to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Lee is accused of harboring and assisting Rick Middleton in avoiding arrest on Sept. 19. She was released with a citation to appear Oct. 30 in Washington County Superior Court.

New Haven man arrested on attempted murder charge
On Sept. 23 at 10 a.m., troopers from the New Haven Barracks responded to a domestic incident in New Haven and arrested Vicente Delacruz Rodriguez, 28, on charges of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree aggravated domestic assault. He was lodged without bail at Marble Valley Correctional Facility and is scheduled to appear Sept. 24 in Addison County Superior Court.

Police seek suspect in Vernon assault
State police in Westminster are seeking help identifying a suspect in a Sept. 21 assault in Vernon. A photo of the suspect was released with the request. Anyone with information is asked to call 802-722-4600 or submit a tip online at vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

Fight interrupts St. Johnsbury select board meeting about policing
On Sept. 22, St. Johnsbury Police Chief Joel Pierce paused his update to the town select board meeting at the Welcome Center when two men began fighting outside. The chief went outside to deal with the problem as the select board and others watched from inside, the Caledonian-Record reports.

Witnesses said James McChesney started the fight with Adam Belliveau in Depot Square Park. McChesney, found to be intoxicated, was taken into custody as an incapacitated person. Police said no simple assault charges would be filed against either man.