By Guy Page

One person was killed and several others injured in a side-by-side ATV crash in Rupert Saturday night, and the operator now faces a charge of DUI with death resulting, according to Vermont State Police.

Troopers responded at about 8:25 p.m. to Suncrest Road, where a side-by-side utility vehicle carrying five people had left the roadway, rolled down an embankment, and struck multiple trees. Emergency crews worked to extricate occupants from the wreckage.

Police said one passenger died at the scene during extrication. The person’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Two others were airlifted to Albany Medical Center with serious injuries, and a third was taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center. 

The operator, identified as Ellsworth A. Reed, 33, of West Pawlet, was taken into custody. Investigators said Reed is suspected of being under the influence at the time of the crash. 

He was charged with DUI with death resulting and held at the Marble Valley Correctional Facility on $5,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Bennington County Superior Court on April 20. The crash remains under investigation.

Soliciting prostitution while panhandling – A Montpelier woman faces multiple charges after police say she engaged in prostitution and provided false information during an investigation along Ames Drive.

According to the Berlin Police Department, officers received complaints in late March and early April about a woman soliciting while panhandling in the area. Following an investigation, police cited Chelsie L. Skidmore, 34, for three counts of prostitution and two counts of false reports to law enforcement authorities.

Police allege Skidmore solicited prostitution on multiple occasions and knowingly gave false information to officers. She is scheduled to appear in Washington County Superior Court, Criminal Division, on June 25.

Berlin police said they have received numerous public complaints about suspected prostitution activity and issues involving the transient and homeless population in the Ames Drive area, and that investigations are ongoing. 

In 2024 Skidmore, then a Clarendon resident, was cited for failure to appear in court on charges of criminal  driving with a suspended license.

Boltin’ up the wrong lane on I-89 – A Massachusetts woman was arrested early Sunday after allegedly driving the wrong way on Interstate 89 while under the influence.

Troopers from the Vermont State Police responded around 12:21 a.m. to reports of a northbound vehicle traveling in the southbound lane IN Bolton. The vehicle was stopped near mile marker 77 without incident.

Police say Denise Lear, 60, of Revere, Massachusetts was charged with gross negligent operation and DUI and later released with a citation to appear in Chittenden County Superior Court on April 20.

Alpha male busted for DUI – A New Jersey motorcyclist was cited for DUI following a single-vehicle crash Saturday night on I-91in Newbury  state police said.

Police said the operator, Charles McFadden, 30, was under the influence at the time of the 9 PM crash and was processed at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center before being released with a citation. Injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.