Accident on 104 at Country Pantry

STATE OF VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASE

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
CASE#:12A201788
TROOPER: Stepien
STATION: VSP- St. Albans
CONTACT#: (802) 524-599

DATE/TIME: 05-02-2012 at 1652 hours

LOCATION (specific): VT Rt 104 near VT Rt 128 in front of the Country Pantry.

VEHICLE #1 OPERATOR: Bernard R. Lussier
AGE: 70
SEAT BELT? N
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Craftsbury, VT
DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE: 1995 Pontiac TSP
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE: Totaled, substantial damage to driver's side door and front axle.

VEHICLE #2 OPERATOR: Thomas J. Blaney
AGE:37
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Craftsbury, VT
DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE: 2000 Subaru Legacy
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE: Induced and contact damage along passenger side front and side of vehicle.

INJURIES
V # / NAME / CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE / AGE / SEAT BELT? / NATURE OF INJURY

V#1 / Bernard Lussier / Craftsbury, VT / 70 / No seatbelt / Head injury-external bleeding due to lacerations

HOSPITAL: Northwest Medical

WEATHER: Cloudy, clear visibility, dry
ROAD COND: blacktop, dry

SUMMARY OF CRASH:
On 05-02-2012 at approximately 1652 hours, members of the Vermont State Police responded to a motor vehicle crash on VT Rt 104 near the intersection with VT Rt. 128, near the Country Pantry in Fairfax, VT. The operator of vehicle #1 was later identified as Bernard R. Lussier. The operator of vehicle #2 was identified as Thomas J. Blaney.

The crash was determined to be a result inattention and with alcohol as a contributing factor. Lussier's operation and the odor of intoxicants suggested that alcohol was involved. Lussier was taken to NW Medical for possible head injuries. No injuries were present for Blaney. The crash resulted in a portion of VT Rt 104 to be closed down for about an hour due to the vehicles in the roadway.
Subsequent investigations showed that Lussier had been drinking intoxicating beverages and had a preliminary breath sample of 0.064% BAC at the hospital following his medical examinations.

Lussier's vehicle was totaled, and substantial damage was present on Blaney's vehicle. Lussier showed injuries to his head as there was external bleeding due to several lacerations. Lussier was not his seatbelt. No injuries were reported for Blaney. Blaney was reported to be wearing his seatbelt.

Lussier was taken back to the St. Albans State Police Barracks for processing. Lussier provided an evidentiary breath sample of 0.040% BAC approximately 3 hours after the crash. Lussier was arrested for committing the offenses of DUI #1 and Careless and Negligent Operation, violations of T. 23 V.S.A 1091 (a)(1) and T. 23 V.S.A 1201. Lussier was cited to answer the charges at the Franklin County Court on 06-11-2012 at 1300 hours.