DERBY — A Derby man was arrested late Saturday night after he crashed his truck into a tree, fired multiple handgun rounds, including one as troopers approached, and struck a neighbor’s vehicle with gunfire, Vermont State Police said.
David Gendreau, 46, was charged with disorderly conduct, recklessly endangering another person, unlawful mischief and resisting arrest.
Troopers at the Derby barracks responded at about 11:20 p.m. to an OnStar crash report near US-5 and Derby Pond Road. The initial report suggested there were numerous injuries and that shots may have been fired.
Officers located Gendreau’s vehicle, a white 2023 GMC Sierra, in the backyard of a nearby residence, crashed into a tree with significant front-end and ballistic damage. At the same time, a passerby reported to a trooper that she had seen a man armed with a handgun running in traffic on US-5, police said.
As troopers approached the vehicle, a shot was fired from behind a nearby tree, according to police. Gendreau was found hiding behind the tree with a handgun and was taken into custody without injury. He then actively resisted as troopers and officers attempted to secure him in a patrol car, police said.
The investigation determined Gendreau had been driving on his property when he crashed into the tree, fired several handgun rounds from inside the vehicle, struck a neighbor’s unoccupied vehicle with gunfire and fired a round believed to have been directed across the roadway as troopers arrived.
Gendreau was evaluated at North Country Hospital as a precaution and lodged at the Northern State Correctional Facility on $500 bail with conditions of release.
Troopers were assisted by the Newport Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and Newport Ambulance Service.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police Derby barracks and ask for Trooper Rice.
