Three Vermonters died in single-vehicle accidents on rural highways over the weekend, Vermont State Police said. All three victims were driving in good weather conditions. All were thrown from their vehicles. None wore seat belts.
Scott Rafus, 51, of Mt. Tabor, died following a single-vehicle rollover crash that occurred about 5 pm Sunday July 18 on Danby Pawlet Rd. in Danby.
Upon arrival to the scene, Troopers located a maroon Chevrolet Trailblazer that came to a position of uncontrolled rest, overturned on the roadway. Ejected from the vehicle, Rafus was transported by ambulance to the Rutland Regional Medical Center, where he died.
Initial investigation revealed that Rafus was travelling westbound on Danby Pawlet Rd., when he drove off the north side of the roadway, which ultimately caused his vehicle to roll and come to a position of rest, overturned, in the westbound lane of travel.
Rafus was not wearing a seat belt. Road conditions were clear and mostly dry.
Shortly after 3 AM Saturday, police and rescue responded to a single vehicle crash located near Claflin Farm Road on Route 7, Charlotte. Gregory Ouellette, 22, was not wearing a seat belt when he was ejected from the 2006 Ford truck.
Police say the vehicle was traveling southbound on Route 7, when the vehicle crossed the oncoming lane of travel, struck a guard rail, and rolled. The operator was ejected from the vehicle. Weather and road conditions were clear.
8 pm Saturday night, Tanner Wincek, 19, of Halifax was ejected from the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee he was driving after in crashed into a tree along Reed Hill Road in Halifax.
Vermont State Police say the vehicle failed to maneuver a turn in the roadway, losing control and rolling over, causing the collision. The operator and passenger were ejected from the vehicle during the crash. The operator succumbed to his injuries on scene. A passenger, Destiny Hubbard, 19, of Halifax was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center facing non-life-threatening injuries.
Neither were wearing seat belts. Road conditions were clear and dry.
Cover photo credit dpsfans.com.