By VDC staff

A Vermont State Police trooper received minor injuries in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon, March 10, on U.S. Route 7 in Bennington. 

Sgt. Justin Walker of the Shaftsbury Barracks was responding at about 4:38 p.m. in his marked VSP cruiser to assist the Bennington Police Department with a crash that had occurred at about 4:34 p.m. on Vermont Route 279. 

Sgt. Walker was operating with his lights and siren activated near the intersection with Kocher Drive when his cruiser was involved in a collision with a second vehicle. Both vehicles then came to rest on the side of the road. 

Sgt. Walker was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for suspected minor injuries and released. The occupants of the other vehicle were unhurt.

St. Johnsbury woman cited after incidents at police department

A 42-year-old St. Johnsbury woman was cited on charges of trespassing and resisting arrest Monday after two incidents at the St. Johnsbury Police Department.

According to police, officers responded at about 4:30 p.m. March 9 to an ongoing situation involving Etta Patrick, who had returned to the department lobby seeking assistance and saying she feared for her safety at her residence.

During the incident, officers contacted multiple support agencies, including Northeast Kingdom Human Services and Umbrella, as well as other community resources in an effort to help Patrick obtain housing and support services, police said.

Authorities said Patrick declined several offers of assistance, including transportation to a hospital and arrangements for emergency housing for the night.

Police told Patrick she could not remain overnight in the lobby and gave her several opportunities to leave voluntarily. When she refused, officers issued a trespass notice barring her from the property.

According to police, when officers attempted to arrest Patrick for trespassing, she resisted by refusing lawful commands and dropping her body weight to the floor.

After being released on citation, police said Patrick returned to the department lobby a short time later despite the trespass notice. She was arrested again on a trespassing charge and again resisted officers while being taken into custody, authorities said.

Patrick was processed and cited to appear in Caledonia County Superior Court on March 9.