Springfield man charged following fatal head-on collision

A Springfield man has been charged following a head-on collision in April that claimed the life of a Ripton man in Salisbury, Vermont.



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May 12, 2017

Gross Negligent Operation with Death Resulting

VERMONT STATE POLICE

PRESS RELEASE *Update*

        

CASE#: 17B501237

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Joshua Gurwicz                            

STATION: New Haven                      

CONTACT#: (802) 388-4919

DATE/TIME: 04/20/2017 / 0643 hours 

INCIDENT LOCATION: Box #594 U.S. Route 7, Salisbury

VIOLATION: Grossly Negligent Operation with Death Resulting

ACCUSED: Shawn Newell                                                

AGE: 33

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Springfield, VT

VICTIM: Brian Kerr

AGE: 40

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Ripton, VT

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On 04/20/2017, at approximately 0643 hours, Troopers from the New Haven Barracks of the Vermont State Police were dispatched to a reported two vehicle, head-on collision that occurred on U.S. RT 7 in the Town of Salisbury, VT.

Upon arrival, Troopers observed the Salisbury Fire Department and crews from the Middlebury Regional Emergency Services attending to the operators of both vehicles.  A third individual had been transported to Porter Hospital prior to our arrival.  In addition, both vehicles, a silver, 2010 Mazda, and a grey, 2008 Chevrolet were observed off the roadway, west of the southbound lane of travel.

Preliminary investigation and witness statements indicate Newell, the operator to the Mazda was traveling northbound at a high rate of speed, passing slower moving vehicles that were ahead of him.  Walker and her passenger, were traveling south.  Newell travelled left of center to pass a vehicle in front of him, and into the path of Walker.  Both Newell and Walker attempted to avoid a collision by driving into the breakdown lane, however, were unable to do so.  Upon impact both vehicle’s left the roadway and came to a position of rest, west of the southbound lane of travel.  Walker’s passenger died of injuries sustained in the crash.

As a result of the investigation conducted by the Vermont State Police, Shawn Newell, was charged with Gross Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle with Death Resulting. On 05/11/2017, Newell was processed at the New Haven Barracks and released on citation to appear at Addison District Court on 06/05/2017, to answer to the charge of Gross Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle with Death Resulting.  

COURT ACTION: Yes

COURT DATE/TIME: 06/05/2017 / 1230 hours            

COURT: Middlebury 

LODGED - LOCATION: N/A 

BAIL: N/A

MUG SHOT: Yes

*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 Joshua Gurwicz

New Haven Barracks

B Troop

2490 Ethan Allen Hwy

New Haven, Vermont 05472

Tel: 802-388-4919

Fax: 802-453-7918

E-Mail: Joshua.Gurwicz@vermont.gov

2017-05-13 / Region Print article Print Springfield man charged following fatal head-on collision SALISBURY, Vt. — A Springfield man has been charged following a head-on collision in April that claimed the life of a Ripton man in Salisbury, Vermont. After an investigation conducted by the Vermont State Police into the April 20 collision, 33-year-old Shawn Newell was charged with gross negligent operation of a motor vehicle with death resulting, and was processed on Thursday, May 11 at the New Haven barracks. According to police, witnesses reported Newell driving northbound “at a high rate of speed,” passing slower moving vehicles that were ahead of him around 6:30 a.m. on Route 7 in Salisbury. Christina Walker, 40, of Ripton, was driving south with her passenger and fellow Ripton resident, 40-year-old Brian Kerr. Police, along with the Salisbury Fire Department and crews from Middlebury Regional Emergency Services responded to a reported head-on collision at about 6:43 a.m. According to police, investigation revealed that Newell travelled over the centerline and into the path of Walker to pass vehicle in front of him. Both drivers attempted to avoid a collision by driving into the breakdown lane, but were unable to do so. First responders treated the drivers of both vehicles on scene, while Kerr had to be transported to Porter Hospital prior to the arrival of state police. Kerr ended up dying of injuries sustained in the crash. Newell is scheduled to appear in Addison District Court on June 5.