BARTON –– A two-vehicle crash on High Street in Barton on September 4, led to several violations, including DUI, negligent operation, and cruelty to a child, police said on Monday.
The accident occurred at around 2:15 p.m.
Shawn Turnbaugh, 36, of Orleans, was driving a 2019 Ford Flex north on High Street behind James Maxham, 68, of Barton, who was operating a 2014 Ford Escape.
Maxham reportedly slowed down to make a left turn into a residence. Turnbaugh, allegedly in an attempt to overtake Maxham, crossed the center line, resulting in a collision with the driver’s side of Maxham’s vehicle.
Both vehicles sustained front-end damage, but thankfully no injuries were reported from either party, and neither operator was hospitalized.
While on the scene, Vermont State Police noted indications of Turnbaugh’s impairment. Turnbaugh was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI without further incident.
The situation escalated when it was discovered a juvenile had been in the passenger seat of Turnbaugh’s car during the collision and had been removed from the scene before law enforcement arrived.
Adding to the list of violations, Turnbaugh reportedly threatened to assault a bystander and displayed disorderly conduct at the crash site.
Further investigations revealed that about 45 minutes before the crash, Turnbaugh’s vehicle was reported for negligent operation near the s-curves on VT RT 58 by Center Road in Barton.
