By Michael Donoghue
Vermont News First
NEWPORT — A Derby man is facing several criminal charges in Orleans County after crashing his car, firing multiple gunshots and resisting arrest on Saturday night, Vermont State Police said.
David Gendreau, 46, was lodged at the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport on charges of recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, unlawful mischief and disorderly conduct, state police said.
State Trooper Anthony Rice said state police were summoned to U.S. 5 near Derby Pond Road about 11:20 p.m. Saturday for a report through OnStar, the subscription-based emergency car service, about a possible vehicle crash.
The initial information provided by OnStar suggested there were numerous injuries and that shots may have been fired, Rice said.
A white 2023 GMC Sierra was located shortly thereafter in the back yard of a nearby residence, crashed into a tree with significant front end crash damage and ballistic damage, Rice said.
A passerby simultaneously reported to a state trooper that she had observed a man armed with a handgun running in traffic on U.S. 5, police said.
As state police approached the truck, a shot was fired from behind a nearby tree, VSP Patrol Sgt. Daniel Lynch said.
A man armed with a handgun and later identified as Gendreau — also believed to be the suspect who had run into the roadway — was observed hiding behind the tree and was placed into custody without injury, Lynch said.
Gendreau then actively resisted law enforcement officers as they attempted to secure him in a patrol car, police said.
The U.S. Border Patrol, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and Newport City Police provided assistance.
Lynch said subsequent investigation revealed Gendreau had been operating his truck on his property and crashed into the tree.
Police believe he fired several handgun rounds out of the vehicle, fired at and struck a neighbor’s unoccupied vehicle, and fired a round believed to go across the roadway upon the arrival of state troopers, before being taken into custody, police said.
Gendreau was transported by Newport Ambulance Service to North Country Hospital in Newport for evaluation as a precaution, Rice said.
He was later taken to the Newport prison for lack of $500 bail as well as conditions if the money is posted before his arraignment on Monday, police said.
Lynch said the incident remains under investigation and members of the public having information about the case are urged to call Trooper Rice at (802) 334-8881,