By Michael Donoghue
Vermont News First
FAIR HAVEN — The driver of a motor vehicle stolen in Bennington County crashed into a Fair Haven Police cruiser before fleeing on foot during a hit-and-run accident on Saturday, Vermont State Police said.
Fair Haven Officer Thomas Covino initially spotted a speeding 2006 Chevrolet Silverado in a 50 mile per hour zone on Vermont 22A about 8:20 a.m., police said. Covino signaled for the vehicle to stop, but the operator attempted to flee for about two miles, police said.
While turning onto the westbound on-ramp for U.S. 4 at the exit 2 interchange, the unidentified driver lost control of the Silverado and collided at a slow speed with the black police cruiser with a full blue light package, Acting State Police Lt. Todd Wilkins said.
After the crash, the driver of the Silverado fled on foot into a brushy area, Wilkins said.
Investigation revealed the Silverado had been reported stolen from a residence in Shaftsbury on June 22, police said.
Covino, 56, of Pawlet was uninjured, police said.
The 2017 Ford Explorer cruiser Covino was driving received moderate front end damage in the crash, Wilkins said. He noted the stolen Silverado later received significant damage as it went down an embankment.
The weather was clear and the road was dry.
Anybody with information about the stolen vehicle or the crash is asked to call Vermont State Police at (802) 773-9101.
