The driver of a 2015 sedan died when the car he was driving on I-89 Wednesday night, June 26 crossed the median and collided with oncoming traffic.

State troopers found that the 2015 Chevy Malibu was traveling north on I-89 at about 7:30 PM when, for reasons still under investigation, it crossed over the median, entered the southbound lane and struck head-on a 2016 Honda driven by Kelly Pelletier, 46, of Plainfield. The Malibu driver, the car’s sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are withholding public identification pending notification of family. 

Pelletier was transported to Central Vermont Medical Center for treatment for serious, non-life threatening injuries. This crash is still under investigation, and members of the public with information which may assist investigators are asked to contact the Vermont State Police Berlin Barracks at 802-229-9191.

M-80 explosion results in injury, charges – State police on June 26 cited 47-year-old Joseph Heim of Fayston on multiple charges arising from an explosion last week that injured him and another man in a field off Phen Basin Road.

Police say Heim and Abdulbary Sirajuddin, 22, of Fayston were setting off homemade explosive devices similar to M-80 fireworks at about 9 p.m. June 18 when one of the devices exploded in Sirajuddin’s hand. The explosion resulted in serious injuries to both men. Subsequent investigation by state police detectives discovered evidence of explosives being manufactured in Heim’s home on Farm Road in Fayston.

Heim was treated for his injuries at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and has since been discharged. Sirajuddin continues to undergo treatment at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

Heim was cited into court on four charges: possession of a destructive device; possession and use of explosives; unlawful trespass; and reckless endangerment. His arraignment is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27 in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Barre.

Vintage guitar stolen – 8 AM on June 26 state police received a theft complaint from Robert O’Connell of Strafford. a resident of Strafford. His Fender Stratocaster guitar was taken from his unlocked vehicle on June 20-21.  The guitar was blue in color and valued at over $1000 dollars.  

O’Connell was unsure of the location of the theft but suspects the theft occurred either from his vehicle which was parked at a residence on Justin Morrill Highway in Strafford or from his vehicle parked at a pull off on Route 14 in Hartford. The Vermont State Police are asking for the public’s assistance with any information regarding this incident.  Please contact VSP-Royalton at 802-234-9933 and reference case #24B2002861.

Alleged sex assailant of 6-year-old cited, released – On January 24 of this year, the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations at the Berlin Barracks began an investigation into an alleged sexual assault that occurred at 16 North Main St. in Waterbury. The information gathered during the course of the investigation established probable cause that Andrew Fuller, 72, of Waterbury sexually assaulted a 6-year-old child who was known to him at his residence located at 16 North Main St. in spring 2017.

On June 26, Fuller surrendered himself at the Berlin Barracks for processing. He was fingerprinted, photographed and issued a citation to appear at the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Barre in August to answer to the charge of Aggravated Sexual Assault. Fuller was subsequently released.