NEWPORT — Strong winds and blowing snow yesterday created dangerous road conditions in the area. Two accidents were reported.
Yesterday at around 1 p.m. a Vermont Agency of Transportation highway maintenance truck was involved in a two vehicle crash on Vermont Route 105 in Newport.
Jason Kerr, 38, of Newport, was traveling east at about 7-8 mph, and William Atherton, 20, of Eden Mills, was traveling west at approximately 10 mph in a plow truck.
The wind was whipping the snow around causing “white outs” in the area. During one of these white outs, Kerr’s vehicle traveled into the westbound travel lane and ended up striking the plow truck, head on. Atherton observed the headlights on Kerr’s vehicle and attempted to avoid the crash by pulling as far to the right of his lane as possible. There were guardrails on both sides of the roadway at the scene of the crash.
Kerr’s vehicle sustained major front end damage, totaling the vehicle. The plow truck was driven from the scene. Kerr’s vehicle was towed by Ray’s Auto. There were no reported injuries. Newport Town Fire Department was contacted to check on the fluids that had leaked from Kerr’s vehicle.
In a second crash that took place in Irasburg, Philip Pare of Burlington was operating a 2003 Subaru Forester east on Vermont Route 58. Pare lost control of his vehicle on the snow and ice covered roadway. The car slid off the south side of the roadway striking a telephone pole before over turning onto its passenger side.
Pare was wearing his seatbelt and sustained minor injuries. Pare’s lone passenger was seated in a child safety restraint and was not injured.
Orleans ambulance responded to the scene. Orleans County Sheriff’s Department also assisted at the scene with traffic control. The vehicle sustained moderate damage and was towed by Croteau’s Auto.
