Chester man faces charges in pedestrian’s death

A Chester man will face charges next month in connection with the death of a pedestrian who was crossing Route 11 outside the McDonald’s restaurant in Springfield last November.

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Published June 9, 2016 in the Rutland Herald Chester man faces charges in pedestrian’s death By SUSAN SMALLHEER SPRINGFIELD – A Chester man will face charges next month in connection with the death of a pedestrian who was crossing Route 11 outside the McDonald’s restaurant in Springfield last November. Michael Buxton, 34, has been charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle in connection with the death of Jordan Pfenning, 23, of Springfield. Springfield police, in their release about the charges recently filed against Buxton, said that “inattention on the part of both Buxton and the pedestrian resulted in the collision.” Pfenning was crossing Chester Road, as it is known in that location, in a marked crosswalk in front of McDonald’s at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 9 when he was struck. He died two days later at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., from the injuries he suffered. Buxton was cited to appear in White River Junction criminal court on July 12. Springfield Police Chief Douglas Johnston said Wednesday that the long delay between the accident and the charges being filed was due to several factors, including the fact that Pfenning died in New Hampshire. Getting copies of Pfenning’s autopsy took months, the chief said. “There were a number of issues,” he said. There was additional delay getting the medical records of Pfenning from the hospital. “It’s all time consuming,” he said. He said the investigator in the case met with the victim’s family and the Windsor County state’s attorney’s office to discuss the case before the charges were filed. http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20160609/NEWS02/160609524