Putney woman was 77, NH man faces charges

Editor’s note: the Chronicle ran a photo of Dylon Vance, a suspect in another crime, in an earlier edition of this story, misidentifying him as Jason Ball. We regret the error. The report of a Putney hit and run fatal accident appears below with the correct photo of Jason Ball.

A Putney woman has died from injuries she sustained nearly a month ago when she was hit by a car while walking on a sidewalk along Main Street in Putney.

Vermont State Police announced Monday that Diane E. Clementine, 77, died June 2 at UMass Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she had been receiving treatment since the May 8 crash.

According to investigators, Clementine and Deborah Bozetarnik, 68, also of Putney, were walking on the sidewalk late that morning when a vehicle veered off the roadway and struck them.

The driver, identified as Jason A. Ball, 23, of Alstead, New Hampshire, was arrested at the scene and charged with driving under the influence of drugs – resulting in serious bodily injury or death, and grossly negligent operation.

Ball was taken into custody and processed at the Westminster State Police Barracks. He was held at Southern State Correctional Facility on $25,000 bail and was scheduled to appear in Windham County Superior Court on May 9.

Bozetarnik sustained minor injuries and was treated and released. Clementine, who was initially listed in critical condition, remained hospitalized for several weeks before succumbing to her injuries.

Authorities have not yet announced whether Ball will face additional charges in light of Clementine’s death. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information related to the crash is urged to contact the Vermont State Police in Westminster at 802-722-4600.

Gun assault – A Richford man is facing a felony charge after allegedly pointing a handgun at another man and firing a shot near him during an incident on Monday afternoon.

Vermont State Police say they responded to a report of an assault on Nickson Road in Richford at 3:17 p.m. on June 2. Police say Matthew Spicer, 57, had confronted Zachary Hughes, 40, also of Richford, and pointed a firearm at him before firing a round. No one was injured in the incident.

Spicer was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault. He was lodged at Northwestern Correctional Center in lieu of $500 bail and is scheduled to appear in Franklin County Superior Court on Tuesday, June 3. 

Bears, bears, everywhere – Anyone watching social media knows that the black bears are out in force throughout Vermont neighborhoods and back yards. For example, several sightings in the village area of Colchester prompted a warning on the police department Facebook page.

Colchester town officials are warning residents to stay alert after recent black bear sightings in neighborhoods off Main Street (VT Route 2A) and near Village Park. 

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds the public that bears are often drawn to human-provided food sources such as bird feeders, pet food, barbecue grills, and unsecured trash. Residents are urged to remove or secure these attractants to avoid dangerous interactions. Feeding bears—intentionally or not—is not only hazardous but also illegal.

If you encounter a black bear, officials advise remaining calm, ensuring the bear has an escape route, and backing away slowly. Never run, climb a tree, or attempt to feed the animal. If attacked in an enclosed space, fight back immediately.

For more information on living with black bears, visit: vtfishandwildlife.com.