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.
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Source: Vermont State Police
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All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges and court dates are subject to change. Reporting is based on information from law enforcement and public records, and will be updated as more details become available.
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