Driver flees, but caught in Grand Isle 

A Grand Isle man is due in Vermont Superior Court in North Hero on Thursday after he reportedly used his car to strike a deputy sheriff and fled the scene Wednesday night, Vermont State Police said.

Kevin Marx, 36, was stopped for a traffic violation on U.S. 2 near Vermont 314 (Ferry Road) about 8:10 p.m. and was issued a ticket by a Grand Isle County Deputy Sheriff, officials said.

After he was released, Marx reportedly turned his car around on U.S. 2 and aimed for the deputy sheriff as he headed back to his marked police cruiser pulled over on the road, officials said.  

The deputy, Sgt. Nicholas Pillsbury of Essex Junction, was struck by the car and dragged off the road toward a tree line, where it stopped, police said. Pillsbury was discharged from the hospital this morning, state police said.

Marx reportedly fled on foot from the scene while the injured deputy remained pinned under the 2022 Subaru Forester, police said.

It took about 30 minutes for first responders to free the deputy from under the car, police said.  He was taken to the UVM Medical Center with head and chest injuries, officials said.  The officer was listed in stable condition.

The suspect, Marx, was taken into custody without incident at his home shortly before 11 p.m. by members of the Vermont State Police, Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Department, Milton Police and   Vermont Fish & Game Warden Service, police said.

Authorities said they knew little about Marx, who may have lived previously in Colchester.

Investigators were processing Marx late Wednesday at the state police barracks in St. Albans.

Multiple units from the Vermont State Police and numerous local police agencies were involved in the search for Marx. 

The VSP’s Crash Reconstruction Team and Bureau of Criminal Investigations are taking the lead in the case.

Grand Isle County State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito said he told police that he wanted Marx held overnight without bail pending his court arraignment, but noted the final decision about bail is up to the judge on call that night.

DiSabito, who responded to the scene, said he believes he will be filing various charges, including attempted homicide, but will wait for the state police paperwork to determine the final charges.

He called the conduct of the driver “outrageous.” 

U.S. 2 remained closed for several hours, but was expected to be reopened early Thursday. A detour was in place.