A prominent Panton farmer was cited for boating under the influence after a boat he was operating struck a swimmer and family member, causing life-threatening injuries. 

At about 8 pm on Sunday, August 13, State Police responded to a boating accident on Lake Champlain at Arnold Bay in Panton. They say Lydia Vorsteveld (61) of Bridport, a nurse at Porter Hospital, was swimming in Arnold Bay when she was struck by a vessel under motion operated by Gerard J. Vorsteveld (49) of Panton. 

Gerard was screened for suspicion of Boating Under the Influence after troopers noticed signs of impairment. He was then arrest for suspicion of Boating Under the Influence and transported to the Vergennes Police Department for processing. He was cited to appear in Addison County Superior Court. 

Lydia was airlifted to the University of Vermont Medical Center for suspected life-threatening injuries. The Vermont State Police were assisted on scene by members of Vergennes Rescue and Charlotte Fire and Rescue.

According to online documents, Lydia is married to Andre Vorsteveld, a member of the extended Vorsteveld family with roots in Panton, a lakeside town in Addison County. Gerard Vorsteveld is the co-owner of a large, local, family-owned dairy farm. 

Impersonating an officer – A 24-year-old security guard from Norwich is facing charges of impersonating a police officer following an incident in Woodstock Saturday, August 12, the Newport Dispatch reports.

Authorities say they were notified of a black Ford Explorer Interceptor stopping a vehicle on I-91 using emergency blue lights at around 4:25 p.m. Police say a search was conducted, and the Ford Explorer was found on Route 4 in Woodstock. Troopers conducted a traffic stop and learned the driver Arturo M. Johnson worked as a security guard and conducted a traffic stop for a miscellaneous reason. Johnson has no police authority and owns the vehicle he was driving, police say. He was given a criminal citation to appear in court on October 17.