NEWPORT CENTER — A Newport Center man suffered life-threatening injuries Friday afternoon in a high-speed crash on Vermont Route 100 that closed the road for approximately three hours.
Shane Prue, 33, was traveling south in a 2019 Honda Civic around 4:21 p.m. when he collided with a trailer being towed by another vehicle, according to Vermont State Police. Investigators said Prue was driving recklessly, exceeding the speed limit and passing in a no-passing zone.
After nearly striking a northbound vehicle head-on, Prue’s car hit a trailer being towed by Thomas Whitestone, 48, of Richford, who was driving a 2025 Ford Explorer. Prue then lost control, went off the right side of the roadway, and struck a culvert and pile of large rocks.
The impact dislodged the Honda’s engine, which struck utility lines before landing in the roadway. Prue’s vehicle sustained extensive damage and was totaled.
Prue was transported to North Country Hospital with critical injuries and later flown to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire. Whitestone was uninjured.
The crash, which occurred near Tetreault Road, closed Route 100 until approximately 7:30 p.m. Multiple agencies responded, including Newport Center Fire Department, Troy Fire Department, Newport Ambulance, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, and Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.
Police are asking any additional witnesses to contact Trooper Nash or Sergeant Mikkola at 802-334-8881.
