Vermont State Police say a fatal crash on I-89 South in Hartford occurred on April 9, 2026, around 8:15 PM. The collision involved a FedEx truck driven by 35-year-old Andrew Pott of Burke, Vermont, and a BMW 750i operated by 19-year-old Gabriel Vestal of Rochester, New Hampshire.
According to police reports, the preliminary investigation identified Vestal as the driver at fault. Pott was pronounced dead at the scene, while Vestal suffered suspected minor injuries and was taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for treatment. Signs of impairment were observed during the interaction with Vestal, leading to a determination that he had been operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was subsequently charged with DUI and released, with instructions to appear in court.
Vestal is scheduled to appear in the Windsor Criminal Division on June 2, 2026, at 8:30 AM. Charges remain allegations at this stage, and the court date may change as the case progresses. Various agencies, including VSP Crash Reconstruction and local fire and police departments, assisted at the scene.
Source: Vermont State Police press release, view original report. This Vermont hartford cited story highlights important developments. The Vermont hartford cited situation continues to develop.
Legal Disclaimer: All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Court dates and charges are subject to change. This report is based on information provided by law enforcement and may be updated as more details become available.
The Vermont hartford cited situation continues to develop.
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Source: Vermont State Police
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Last modified: April 10, 2026
