NEWPORT — Police arrested the driver in a fatal crash in West Charleston that took the lives of two Orleans County residents on May 29.
Police say after a lengthy investigation Joshua Cole, 30, of Derby, was arrested at 4 p.m. today.
He is charged with two counts of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or other substance with death resulting and serious bodily injury resulting. He also is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter-reckless endangerment and one count of grossly negligent operation.
Cole was taken to the VSP Derby barracks and processed.
His bail was set at $50,000. He will be arraigned Wednesday afternoon.
Esperanza Robles, 29, of Derby Line, and Ryan Coulter, 26, of Newport, were killed in the crash that happened on Vermont 105 in West Charleston.
Amanda Letourneau, 27, of East Charleston, suffered head and leg injuries, and Cole also suffered head injuries from the crash.
Amanda has HAND and leg injuries.
We were all wondering when he was gonna get charged!!
was about time ……………………
So sad all of this. Amanda I hope all goes well for your recovery
He had all those felonies which he earned, and the worst part is that he has to live with the fact that he killed his friends for the rest of his days. That in itself is the worst kind of prison for a person. He deserves everything he gets. I do however feel bad for his family.
I have to say this, it maybe wronge in some eyes, but they all knew what there daily activity was gonna be like the morning they woke up, they knew they were going to be drinking!!! Find a ride before !!!! Remember what they call these ppl, designated drivers!!! They are grown ups!! Why just blame the driver and be so harsh on him, they were all at fault, this man has too live with this for the rest of his life????, How about the “friends” that let them drive away drunk? Should they take blame to? What happened to friends don’t let friends drive DRUNK!!! Did we forget this when taught by parents and schools!!! They didn’t have to get in that car with a drunk driver! Right? Ask yourself ? Would you have got in that vehicle? Would you let your friends get in that vehicle? I don’t even know this Cole man, I am sad for all the losses, sad for the families and friends. it’s a horrible thing to go thru, I know, but I made a smart choice when I was younger and I didn’t get in the car, I called for a safer ride home !! I hope more of you make better choices when drinking now, because it should be a eye opener!!