By Guy Page

A Manchester woman died in a multi-vehicle crash Monday, December 30.

At about 4 PM, the Vermont State Police-Shaftsbury Barracks was notified of a multiple-vehicle crash on Rte. 7 in Sunderland. Police say Kathryn Brown, 68 of Manchester was driving a 2017 Chevy Traverse north and Nicholas Frost, 31, of Lenox MA was driving south in a 2007 Dodge Sprinter, as was Carol Ivey, 48 of Landgrove in a 2015 Subaru. 

Police say Brown crossed the center line and struck Frost in the southbound lane, causing his vehicle to roll onto its side. Ivey, traveling south behind Frost, hit his vehicle and came to rest off the northbound shoulder down a small embankment. Brown succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash. 

Retail thievery suspects apprehended in car – On Dec. 30 at 5:44 PM, state police received a report of a retail theft from Ocean State Job Lot in St. Johnsbury. Troopers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle the three suspects left in and recovered several hundred dollars worth of stolen property from the vehicle. 

The three suspects, Dalton Kraft, 29, of Bennington, Stephanie Pike, 49, of Halifax and Michaela Plante, 28, of Burlington were all arrested and charged with the offense of retail theft.

Homeless person arrested for stealing Christmas card – At 1;41 AM December 30, the Vermont State Police received a call from Kim Brown (53, of North Troy) who said a Christmas card which contained money was stolen from her. Troopers found that Nicole Atkins (34, no address) was in possession of the stolen Christmas card. She was cited to appear in Orleans County Superior Court for Petit Larceny.

Homeowner arrested for arson, insurance fraud – At 9:28 AM Dec. 27, the Stamford Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 536 Mill Rd. in Stamford. Crews saw heavy black smoke pushing from the eaves. Upon firefighters’ entry, the first floor was smoke-filled with flames visible at the base of walls along both sides of a staircase. Fire suppression efforts were conducted with both internal and exterior attacks. Because of the fire department’s efforts, the structure was saved.

As part of his scene assessment, Stamford Fire Chief Paul Ethier contacted the Vermont Department of Public Safety Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit for assistance in determining the origin and cause of the fire.

The Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit determined the cause to be arson and identified Joseph Pallas, 31, of Stamford, as the individual who investigators believe purposely set fire to his residence.

On Monday, Dec. 30, Pallas was issued a citation through his attorney on charges of first-degree arson and insurance fraud. He is scheduled to appear for arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 24, 2025, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Bennington.