By VDC staff 

Eight months after their son died in a motorcycle crash in Franklin County, Lori and Jay Paradee say they are still searching for answers and accountability, the St. Albans Messenger has reported.

The couple stood outside the Franklin County courthouse in St. Albans on Feb. 24, holding signs and drawing attention to the case while a court hearing took place inside involving the teenaged driver connected to the crash that killed their son, Cody Paradee, according to Feb. 28 coverage written by reporter Josh Ellerbrock by the Franklin County daily newspaper story.

Since then, the Paradees have learned no new information about the case. 

Cody Paradee, 32, was killed last summer while riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in Enosburgh. The Messenger states that according to a crash report from the State of Vermont, Paradee was traveling north on Duffy Hill Road when a vehicle entering the intersection from Taylor Branch Road allegedly failed to stop and struck the motorcycle.

The force of the crash threw Paradee from the bike. He was flown to the University of Vermont Medical Center for treatment but died the next morning from injuries caused by the collision.

The driver of the car was 17 years old at the time of the crash. Because the case involves a juvenile, the court proceedings and much of the case information remain confidential, and the driver’s identity has not been publicly released.

Frustrated by the limited information available to them, the Paradees said they decided to protest outside the courthouse to bring attention to their son’s death.

“As far as we know, nothing is happening,” Lori Paradee told the Messenger last month. “We feel like we’re not getting any help.”

The signs the couple held referenced what they believe led to the crash. One displayed a stop sign and the message, “This sign should have saved Cody.”

According to the crash narrative, the driver was traveling west on Taylor Branch Road with two passengers in the vehicle when he allegedly entered the intersection without stopping. One passenger reportedly shouted “bike, bike” after noticing Paradee approaching the intersection.

Investigators say the vehicle struck the motorcycle on its right side. A reconstruction of the crash suggested Paradee may have been slowing down as he approached the intersection, though the driver reportedly disputed that during interviews with police.

Following the investigation, Vermont State Police recommended a charge of grossly negligent operation of a vehicle resulting in death. If convicted, the charge carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

The Paradees say they want the driver to be prosecuted as an adult and have contacted a victim’s advocate and local lawmakers to explore whether that could happen.

“When someone signs for an adult driver’s license, they should be held responsible for their actions,” Jay Paradee said in the the Messenger report. 

In the months since their son’s death, the family says the lack of communication from officials has been difficult.

“We feel like if we had more money or a different last name, things might be different,” Jay said.

During the Feb. 24 hearing, individuals involved in the case spoke with the Paradees outside the courthouse and allowed them to attend the proceeding — something Jay said had not previously been permitted.