LEICESTER, VT — Vermont State Police are investigating a head-on collision that left one person dead and three others seriously injured Sunday afternoon.
The crash occurred at approximately 3:13 p.m. on US Route 7 near Cram Road.
Troopers from the New Haven Barracks responded to reports of a head-on collision involving two vehicles with numerous occupants unresponsive and entrapped.
One vehicle was reported to be on fire.
Upon arrival, troopers discovered that bystanders had pulled occupants from the engulfed vehicle and were performing CPR on one occupant.
Two occupants remained entrapped in the other vehicle.
CDR Towing hauled one vehicle away from the engulfed vehicle to prevent the fire from spreading.
The preliminary investigation determined that a 2007 Pontiac G6 traveling south on US Route 7 swerved to the left, crossed the center line, and struck a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer head-on.
The Trailblazer was traveling north in the northbound lane at the time of the collision.
The Trailblazer was pushed over a guardrail and came to rest in an embankment before catching fire.
Speed is suspected to be a contributing factor for the southbound vehicle.
The operator of the Pontiac, Jeremy Nolette, 51, of Brandon, was transported to Rutland Regional Medical Center and subsequently transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center with serious life-threatening injuries.
The passenger, Lisa Nolette, 60, of Brandon, was transported to Rutland Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
The operator of the Trailblazer, Thomas Gero, 52, of Monkton, was transported to the University of Vermont Medical Center with serious life-threatening injuries.
The passenger, Gillian Gero, 50, of Monkton, was pronounced deceased at the scene and transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Both vehicles were totaled.
Vermont State Police were assisted by the Brandon Fire Department, Brandon Rescue, Middlebury Rescue, CDR Towing and MiddState Towing.
The Vermont State Police Crash Reconstruction Team was activated to investigate.
Witnesses are asked to contact Trooper Nicole Twamley at the New Haven Barracks at (802) 388-4919.
