By Guy Page

A tragic head-on crash on US Route 2 Sunday, June 15 in North Hero killed a Grand Isle man and seriously injured another. 

State police say the crash occurred around 1:47 PM near Savage Point Road on a clear and sunny afternoon.

Police say Ellen Willson, 38, of St. Albans, was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado southbound when she crossed the center line and struck two oncoming motorcycles head-on. One of the motorcyclists, Hunter Rounds, 20, of Grand Isle, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second rider, 51-year-old Jason Rounds—also of Grand Isle—suffered serious but stable injuries and was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center.

It is not known at this time if the two crash victims were father and son. 

Willson, who sustained minor injuries, was arrested and processed at the St. Albans Barracks. She faces charges of Grossly Negligent Operation with Death Resulting and Grossly Negligent Operation – Serious Bodily Injury, and is scheduled to appear in Grand Isle County Court on August 7. Authorities urge any witnesses to call the St. Albans Barracks at 802-524-5993 (option 3).

Fatal crash suspect Ellen Willson (left), Cavendish runaways Brooklyn Peno-Camley and Derrick Baker

Runaway teens from Cavendish group home – Vermont State Police are searching for three runaway juveniles last seen around 12:30 AM walking along VT Route 103. The teens—Derrick Baker (16), Brooklyn Peno-Camley (16), and Sam Taylor (14–15)—were reported missing from 756 Main Street, Cavendish, where they had been staying at a facility known as the House at 20 Mile Stream.

None of the juveniles had money or electronic devices. Descriptions provided by police are as follows:

Derrick Baker: Black male, 5’7″, ~136 lbs, dreadlocks, black hoodie and jeans, scars on knuckles, piercings in both ears.

Brooklyn Peno-Camley: White female, 5’6″, ~135 lbs, strawberry blonde hair, black hoodie and gray sweatpants.

Sam Taylor: White, assigned female at birth but identifies as male, short spiked hair, 5’6″, ~120 lbs, black hoodie and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4600 or submit a tip anonymously at vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

DUI-related three-car crash – A three-vehicle crash on US Route 2 led to one injury and the arrest of a Waitsfield man for driving under the influence. Troopers responded to the scene and determined that Benjamin Harmon, 34, attempted to pass another vehicle on a curve, striking a third vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.

The collision involved Harmon’s 2016 Subaru Outback, a 2019 Honda HR-V driven by Ava Ure, 22, of Montpelier (who was transported to CVMC with injuries), and a 2024 Kia EV9 operated by Damian DiNicola, 48, of Randolph. DiNicola was not injured.

Harmon was screened and taken into custody for suspicion of DUI. He was processed at the Berlin Barracks and released with a citation.

Solar company truck stolen – Police are investigating the theft of a 2021 gray Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck bearing Vermont plate 488A414. The truck, marked with a “Southern Vermont Solar” decal, was reported stolen sometime before 2:30 PM Sunday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4600 or submit an anonymous tip online.