SHAFTSBURY — Austin Carrier faces charges of Gross Negligent Operation resulting in serious bodily injury after a July incident where a vehicle he was towing rolled back and injured a pedestrian, according to Vermont State Police.
Carrier, 20, of Sandgate, turned himself in at the Shaftsbury Barracks and was released with a Criminal Citation to appear at the Bennington Superior Court – Criminal Division on Sept. 16 at 8:15 a.m.
The crash occurred on July 15 on SE Corners Road in Sandgate.
Police said Carrier was towing a green 1994 Jeep Cherokee with a chain, which was being steered by 18-year-old Jalen Davis of Bennington.
As Carrier’s 2001 white Jeep Cherokee ascended an incline, the drive shaft broke, causing both vehicles to roll backward.
Davis and Carrier jumped out, but Davis tripped and was struck by the rolling vehicle.
Davis sustained serious bodily injuries and was flown to Albany Medical Center for treatment.
The extent of the injuries was not disclosed.
Along with the criminal charge, Carrier received a Vermont Civil Violation Complaint for Operating Under Civil Suspension with a fine of $249 and no points.
Trooper Ben Irwin of the Shaftsbury Barracks, who responded to the crash, noted that the weather was clear and the road conditions were dry at the time of the incident.
Both vehicles involved sustained minor damage.
