PEACHAM — Vermont State Police are investigating the death of a 33-year-old man during severe weather and flash flooding in Peacham late Wednesday night.
Dylan Kempton of Peacham was found deceased in South Peacham Brook around midnight, about 1/8 mile downstream from where his utility terrain vehicle (UTV) was discovered overturned in the water.
Police responded to the area near Governor Mattocks Road and County Road at approximately 10:35 p.m. Wednesday after reports of a vehicle falling into the brook. The driver of that vehicle was rescued unharmed.
While examining the scene, emergency crews noticed Kempton’s overturned UTV in the water. A portion of the road had collapsed due to the flooding.
Investigators learned Kempton had driven his UTV to Peacham Corners earlier in the evening. On his return journey, a culvert breach caused water to rush over the road, sweeping away his vehicle.
The incident occurred during heavy rainfall that caused South Peacham Brook to run extremely high.
Kempton’s body was recovered early Thursday morning and will be transported to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
