At 7 AM Monday January 16, state police were dispatched to US Route 125 in Ripton for a report of a single motor vehicle crash in which the vehicle, a box truck, had driven off the roadway into the river. Witnesses said before crashing, the operator of the vehicle was driving erratically while traveling north.

Troopers said operator Alexis O Laboy (39) of Springfield, MA showed signs of impairment from a substance other than alcohol. About 2.5 g of Heroin were seized from the vehicle Laboy was operating. He was treated at Porter Hospital and later charged with DUI Drugs-Refusal and Possession of Heroin. He is scheduled to appear in court March 20.

The truck was towed from the roadway by Sheldrick and Son’s Towing without incident. Vermont State Police was assisted by Middlebury Police, Department of Motor Vehicles, Middlebury Fire and Rescue and Middlebury EMS. VT Route 125 in the area of 1815 in Ripton was closed (both lanes) due to the crash for several hours.