ORLEANS — A bicyclist was seriously injured in a crash Friday night after being hit by a car driven by a woman allegedly under drug impairment and with an expired driver’s license, according to the Vermont State Police.
The accident took place at 8:18 p.m. on Water Street, at its intersection with School Street in Orleans. Investigation found that Jennifer Sanville, 37, of Orleans, was making a turn onto School Street when she didn’t yield to Samuel Barbeau, 28, also of Orleans, who was cycling on Water Street.
Authorities noted Sanville’s vehicle, a 2005 Ford Focus, struck Barbeau, causing him non-life threatening but serious injuries. He was transported to North Country Hospital and later to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for treatment.
The initial probe revealed Sanville was driving with an expired license, which breached her pretrial conditions of release. She is now in custody for her violations which include gross negligent operation leading to serious bodily injury.
The involvement of drug impairment in the crash led drug recognition experts from both the Vermont State Police and the Lyndonville Police Department to evaluate Sanville at the Derby barracks.
Several local agencies, including the Orleans Fire Department, Orleans Ambulance, Newport Ambulance, and Wright’s Towing, were present at the scene to assist.
Anyone with information about the accident is urged to contact the Vermont State Police Derby Barracks at 802-334-8881. The investigation remains ongoing, police say.
