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VSP News Release-Incident

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

NEWS RELEASE

CASE#: 22A1005835

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Omar Bulle / Sgt. Thomas Howard                            

STATION: Williston Barracks               

CONTACT#: 802-878-7111

 

DATE/TIME: 09/11/22 22:51 hours

INCIDENT LOCATION: Interstate 89 NB, Mile Marker 101.2, Milton, VT

 

VEHICLE #1

OPERATOR:  Ernest Yangassa

AGE: 43

SEAT BELT: Yes

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: South Burlington, VT

INJURIES: Serious Injuries

HOSPITAL: UVMC

 

VEHICLE YEAR:  2007

VEHICLE MAKE: Hyundai

VEHICLE MODEL: Elantra

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Totaled

 

VEHICLE #2

OPERATOR: Natasha Cameron

AGE: 17

SEAT BELT: Yes

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Northfield, VT

 

PASSENGER: Veronica Valliere

AGE: 18

SEAT BELT: Yes

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Northfield, VT

 

PASSENGER: Nathan Mason

AGE: 19

SEAT BELT: No

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Georgia, VT

INJURIES: Serious Injuries

HOSPITAL: UVMC

 

VEHICLE YEAR:  2009

VEHICLE MAKE: BMW

VEHICLE MODEL: 335

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Totaled

 

VEHICLE #3

OPERATOR: Michael Amoah

AGE: 25    

SEAT BELT: Yes

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Burlington, VT

INJURIES: Minor

HOSPITAL: UVMC

 

VEHICLE YEAR: 2019

VEHICLE MAKE: BMW

VEHICLE MODEL: 330

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Totaled

 

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

 

On September 11, 2022 at approximately 2251 hours, the Vermont State Police were notified of a wrong-way driver, later identified as Yangassa, on Interstate 89 near mile marker 108 in the Town of Georgia. Multiple 911 calls were received reporting that the wrong-way driver was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I89. Troopers were then advised that the wrong-way driver had crashed near mile marker 101 in the Town of Milton. When Troopers arrived on scene, they discovered multiple vehicles off the roadway, one being on fire with an unconscious operator trapped inside. The entrapped operator, Yangassa, was removed from the burning vehicle by Troopers who had arrived on scene. Medical treatment was rendered by Troopers until EMS staff arrived on-scene. All occupants were transported from the scene to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. Troopers were assisted by Milton Fire Department, Vermont AOT, and numerous EMS agencies. The interstate was shut down north of exit 17 for approximately 3 hours while the scene was processed. The Vermont Crash Reconstruction Team was activated and responded to the scene to assist.

 

Preliminary investigation showed Vehicle 1 collided head-on with Vehicle 2 in the passing lane of Interstate 89. Vehicle 2 subsequently came to a point of uncontrolled rest in the I89 median. Vehicle 1 then collided with Vehicle 3 in the travel lanes of I89. Vehicle 1 and Vehicle 3 came to a final point of uncontrolled rest in the right shoulder of I89. At this time, both Yangassa and Mason remain hospitalized and are being treated for the injuries they sustained as a result of the collision. The exact status of their injuries is unknown. Impairment is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision.

 

This incident remains under investigation.

 

 

*Please note:  court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of

the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

 

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VSP News Release-Incident

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

NEWS RELEASE

CASE#: 22A1005835

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME:                             

STATION: Williston                  

CONTACT#: 802-878-7111

 

DATE/TIME: 09/11/22 22:51 hours

INCIDENT LOCATION: Interstate 89 NB Milton, VT

 

VEHICLE #1

OPERATOR:  Ernest Yangassa

AGE: 43

SEAT BELT? Yes

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Colchester, VT

 

VEHICLE YEAR:  2007

VEHICLE MAKE: Hyundai

VEHICLE MODEL: Elantra

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Total

INJURIES: Yes

HOSPITAL: UVM

 

 

VEHICLE #2

OPERATOR:  Veronica Valliere  (DOB: 02/10/2004)

AGE: 18

SEAT BELT? Yes

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Northfield, VT

 

VEHICLE YEAR:  2009

VEHICLE MAKE: BMW

VEHICLE MODEL: 335

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Totaled

INJURIES: N/A

HOSPITAL: UVM

 

VEHICLE #3

OPERATOR: Michael Amoah

AGE: 25    

SEAT BELT? Yes

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Burlington, VT

 

VEHICLE YEAR:

VEHICLE MAKE: BMW

VEHICLE MODEL:  

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Totaled

INJURIES: Yes

HOSPITAL: UVM

 

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On September 11, 2022 at approximately 22:51 hours, the Vermont State Police were notified of a wrong way driver on Interstate 89, traveling south in the north bound lane near mile marker 108 in the Town of Milton. While enroute, Troopers were advised that the vehicle had crashed near mile marker 101. When Troopers arrived on scene, they discovered multiple vehicles off the roadway, one being on fire with the unconscious operator trapped inside. The entrapped operator was removed from the burning vehicle. All occupants were transported from the scene to the UVM medical center. Troopers were assisted by Milton Fire Department, AOT, and numerous EMS agencies.

 

The interstate was shut down north of exit 17 for approximately 3 hours while the scene was processed. The Vermont Crash Reconstruction Team was activated and responded to the scene. This incident remains under investigation.

 

 

 

 

*Please note:  court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of

the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

 

 

Trooper Omar Bulle

Vermont State Police

2777 St George Road

Williston, VT 05495

Ph#802.878.7111