Charges filed in dirt bike crash

Three recent fatalities are drawing responses from the Vermont State Police, including a suspicious shooting death in Corinth, a snowmobile crash in Stannard, and new criminal charges connected to a fatal crash last fall.

State police said they are investigating a suspicious death reported late Saturday night, Feb. 14, at a home on Richardson Road in the Orange County town of Corinth. Troopers responded at about 11:15 p.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting that a man had been shot.

Responding officers found the man unresponsive inside the residence. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.

Police say the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute involving people who knew each other. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s name, and the investigation remains active.

NEK snowmobile fatal – Earlier Sunday, Feb. 15, state police responded to a fatal snowmobile crash on VAST Trail 513 in the Northeast Kingdom town of Stannard.

Investigators said Kevin Smith, 62, of Chester, CT, was traveling west on the trail at about 3:12 p.m. when his snowmobile drifted off the north side and struck a stump. The impact caused him to lose control, and he was ejected into several trees after the machine tipped over.

First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but Smith died at the scene. Police said speed and alcohol do not appear to have been factors. Hardwick Rescue and local fire departments assisted at the scene.

Charges filed in October dirt bike fatal – In a separate development, state police announced that criminal charges have been filed in connection with a fatal crash that occurred Oct. 5, 2025, on Richardson Road in Orange.

That crash killed Kaylee Bailey, 16, of Corinth, who was operating a Kawasaki dirt bike when it collided head-on with a Subaru Crosstrek driven by Kyle Hunt, 23, of Washington. Investigators said Hunt had turned into the path of Bailey’s motorcycle.

Bailey was pronounced dead at the scene, while Hunt was not injured.

On Feb. 14, Hunt was issued a citation to appear in Orange County Superior Court – Criminal Division on Feb. 25 to answer charges of gross negligent operation resulting in death and obstruction of justice.

Police continue to investigate the Corinth shooting and ask anyone with information to contact the Vermont State Police.