Waterville man arrested after high-speed chase, eluding police

WATERVILLE — A local man was arrested late Thurssday night after he attempted to escape law enforcement, leading to a high-speed pursuit on rural roads.

At approximately 11:52 p.m., a Vermont State Trooper from the Williston Barracks clocked a black Volkswagen speeding on VT Route 109 and Montgomery Road.

As the Trooper initiated a stop, the vehicle turned onto Smithville Road, failing to halt despite activated emergency lights and siren.

The Volkswagen, driven at speeds unsafe for the winding dirt road, evaded the Trooper and vanished from sight.

The pursuit was not continued due to safety concerns.

However, troopers continued patrolling the area and discovered tire tracks on Smithville Road that suggested the vehicle had turned onto the less-traveled Rogers Road.

Following the tracks, authorities located the Volkswagen on the dead-end road and successfully conducted a traffic stop.

The driver, Hunter Tallman, 24, of Waterville, was taken into custody without incident.

Tallman was transported to the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department for processing.

He was later released with a citation to appear in Lamoille County Superior Court on Jan. 3 at 12:30 p.m., facing charges of negligent operation and attempting to elude law enforcement.