by Guy Page

The Vermont Department of Public Safety and the State Police Advisory Commission on Thursday released their latest semiannual summary of internal investigations involving members of the Vermont State Police, finding that one case was unfounded and seven were founded among eight investigations reviewed between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025.

The investigations all arose from concerns raised internally by members of the Vermont State Police. The synopses are intended to provide greater transparency and public oversight while balancing confidentiality requirements and the need to complete internal investigations before public release. Identifying information about the troopers involved is excluded from the report as required by law.

The State Police Advisory Commission, created by statute in 1979, provides civilian oversight of the Vermont State Police and advises the commissioner of public safety on management, supervision and discipline matters, including allegations of misconduct. The commission is composed of seven members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Vermont Senate. Current members are Chairman Glenn Boyde and commissioners Allison Crowley, John Filipek, June Heston, Shirley Jefferson, and Seth Shamp.

Separately, police agencies reported several DUI arrests in recent days:

• DUI-5 / Operating After Criminal Suspension — St. Johnsbury: At about 11:22 p.m. Jan. 7, St. Johnsbury police stopped a vehicle on Portland Street for a motor vehicle violation. Rhe R. Higbee, 68, of Lyndonville, was taken into custody and charged with DUI-5 and operating after criminal suspension. He was released on citation to appear in Caledonia Superior Court on Jan. 26 at 8:30 a.m.
• DUI Refusal — Pownal: Vermont State Police arrested Ethan Audet, 24, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, following a traffic stop near the intersection of U.S. Route 7 and Jackson Cross Road on Jan. 8. Troopers observed signs of impairment, and Audet was arrested on suspicion of DUI after refusing testing. He was released on citation and is scheduled to appear in Bennington Superior Court on Jan. 26 at 8:30 a.m.
• DUI #1 / Motor Vehicle Crash — Brandon: Shortly after 1:30 a.m. Jan. 8, Vermont State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Pearl Street near Martin Road. Police said a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Idris Atwood, 27, of Poultney, struck a tree under icy road conditions. Troopers observed signs of impairment, and Atwood was arrested on suspicion of DUI #1. No injuries were reported. He was released on citation to appear in Rutland Superior Court on Jan. 29 at 10 a.m.
• A two-vehicle crash on Packard Road in Jericho Thursday afternoon resulted in a DUI-drugs arrest and sent one driver to the hospital, according to Vermont State Police. Troopers from the Williston barracks responded at about 1:32 p.m. Jan. 8 and determined that a 2025 Toyota Corolla driven by Victoria Pelletier, 44, of Richmond drifted out of its lane and struck a 2017 Chevrolet Colorado driven by Gordon Hamm, 67, of Jericho, head-on. Pelletier sustained suspected minor injuries and was transported by Essex Rescue to UVM Medical Center, while Hamm was uninjured. Both vehicles were totaled and towed from the scene. Troopers observed indicators of impairment and arrested Pelletier on suspicion of DUI-drugs; she was issued a criminal citation and is scheduled to appear in Chittenden Superior Court on Feb. 12 at 8:30 a.m.