Single-vehicle crash on I-91 claims life of Vernon man

DUMMERSTON — A single-vehicle crash on Interstate 91 North claimed the life of a 77-year-old Vernon man Monday afternoon.

Vermont State Police reported that Donald Pratt was driving a 2008 Toyota Corolla when he lost control of his vehicle near mile marker 14/8 at about 3:11 p.m. Pratt’s vehicle left the roadway, traveled down an embankment, and struck a tree, resulting in severe front-end damage.

Pratt was wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident.

He was initially transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and later transferred to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead weeks after the crash.

Troopers from the Westminster Barracks arriving on the scene found the car in an uncontrolled resting position facing east off the embankment.

Pratt was the only occupant of the vehicle.

The weather was fair and the road dry at the time of the accident, which is still under investigation.

Trooper Acevedo, who is handling the case (number 23B1008364), has asked anyone with information that may aid in the investigation to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-722-4600.

Responding to the scene alongside Vermont State Police were the Dummerston Fire Department, Putney Fire Department, and Rescue Inc.