By Guy Page

A Bristol man was cited for driving under the influence Tuesday, March 31 after crashing his vehicle into a Main Street business in Waitsfield late Tuesday afternoon, according to the Vermont State Police.

Troopers from the Berlin Barracks responded at about 4:52 p.m. to a multi-vehicle crash near the intersection of Main Street and Bridge Street. Upon arrival, they found a 2019 Subaru Legacy lodged inside the first floor of Waitsfield Pottery, causing structural damage to the building.

Police said the driver, Joseph Hagan, 47, of Bristol, had been traveling south on Route 100 when his vehicle struck two other southbound vehicles — a 2020 Toyota Corolla operated by Julian Fairchild, 20, of Warren, and a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado driven by Eric Baruzzi, 50, of Fayston. Hagan’s vehicle then left the roadway and crashed into the business.

Hagan sustained minor injuries and was transported to Central Vermont Medical Center for evaluation. While speaking with him, troopers observed signs of impairment and later screened him for DUI at the hospital.

He was issued a citation to appear in Washington County Superior Court, Criminal Division, on April 9 at 8:30 a.m. to answer to charges of driving under the influence and negligent operation.

Fairchild and Baruzzi were not injured. Their vehicles sustained minor rear-end damage.

No serious injuries were reported. The Waitsfield Fire Department and Mad River Valley Ambulance assisted at the scene.

Accused murderer to remain behind bars – A Bradford man accused of killing his friend last year will remain behind bars ahead of trial, the Journal-Opinion reports today. 

James D. Nickles, 43, has been charged with second degree murder for shooting Corey Crooker inside his Old Post Road home in January 2025. Nickles has been in custody since his arrest, initially on federal weapons charges, in February 2025.

At a hearing yesterday afternoon in Orange County Superior Court, a lawyer for Nickles argued that his client should be released on bail to stay with a family member in Woodsville. 

Defense attorney William Vasiliou suggested that Nickles shot Crooker in self-defense. 

“I don’t think the state can prove the killing was unlawful,” Vasiliou said. 

Orange County State’s Attorney Colin Seaman disagreed arguing that the evidence against Nickles, who allegedly burned Crooker’s body after the shooting, was great. 

“Covering up the crime gives insight into the mind of the perpetrator,” Seaman said.  

Judge Timothy Tomasi said that the preliminary hearing assessing the weight of evidence was not intended to establish Nickles’s guilt. Instead, he reviewed the evidence in a light most favorable to the state. 

“The court agrees with defendant that there needs to be a showing that the killing was unlawful,” Tomasi said. 

Nevertheless, he did not find the proposed out-of-state bail arrangement “a workable solution.” He ordered Nickles to be held without bail. He set a status conference for 90 days from now.