LYNDONVILLE — Police have released the names of the two victims in the deadly crash that took place northbound on I-91 near the Lyndonville and St. Johnsbury line Friday night. They are also saying that speed and road conditions were factors in the crash.
According to a statement issued by police, 29-year-old Justin Stephenson, and 38-year-old Ryan Nadeau, both of Essex Junction, were the two victims in the accident.
The two were traveling northbound in a Ford Taurus on I-91 when they came upon a two-car crash that took place moments before.
In the first collision, a 2009 Toyota Corolla lost control and came to rest sideways in the passing lane. A tractor-trailer then collided with the Corolla, also coming to rest in the passing lane.
The Taurus, being driven by Stephenson, ended up smashing into the tractor-trailer, killing the driver and passenger. Police are saying that both were not wearing their seat belts at the time.
The highway was closed from exit 22 in St. Johnsbury to exit 23 in Lyndonville after the deadly crash. Traffic had to be redirected, with that section of I-91 North closed until around 3 a.m. Saturday.
My fiancee travels that road every day. He said the road in that section was ice covered in the passing lane on a curve all week, but everything else was bare. He mentioned over and over how concerned he was for people’s safety. If he recognized this danger why didn’t people in charge of the roads see it. He said this area was an accident waiting to happen! When we heard about the accident he instantly knew the location. I understand the State of Vermont has to control cost, but sometimes salt use should be a higher priority to keep people safe! This accident could have easily been prevented! It is so tragic to have loss of life because road crews are not authorized to use salt.