KILLINGTON — A single-vehicle crash on East Mountain Road led to the arrest of an Ohio man on DUI and negligent operation charges on Dec. 31, authorities said.
Nicholas A Schumacher, 22, was taken into custody after his vehicle, a 2016 Ford Explorer, was found crashed and totaled in a ditch off the shoulder of the road, east of Bear Mountain Road, according to the Killington Police Department.
Upon arrival shortly after 3 p.m., police found all occupants had exited the vehicle.
Schumacher admitted to consuming marijuana and alcohol before driving.
He also disclosed that he was looking at a passenger’s phone while navigating the road, police said.
Schumacher was screened on suspicion of DUI and was processed, providing a breath sample with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.121 percent, surpassing the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Two of the three passengers suffered injuries and were transported to Rutland Regional Medical Center.
One passenger sustained serious injuries, including a broken vertebrae, nose, rib, and facial lacerations.
The other passengers received minor injuries.
Killington Fire and Rescue, Regional Ambulance Service, and Killington Auto assisted at the scene.
The vehicle was removed by Killington Auto.
Investigators determined that speed, suspected impairment from alcohol and drugs, and distracted driving were contributing factors in the crash.
Schumacher has been charged with DUI and gross negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
He is scheduled for arraignment in Vermont Superior Court, Criminal Division, on Jan. 21 at 12:30 p.m. Additionally, Schumacher received a Vermont Civil Violation Complaint for failure to maintain his lane.
