According to police reports, a 71-year-old man from Hoosick Falls, NY, was involved in a vehicle crash on VT Route 7A near Lake Shaftsbury on December 13, 2025. Vermont State Police responded to the scene at approximately 4:47 PM, where they discovered that Gary Neal had veered off the roadway and struck a guardrail.
During their investigation, officers noted several signs of impairment while speaking with Neal. He sustained minor injuries and was subsequently taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center for treatment. After being evaluated, police say Neal was processed at the hospital for driving under the influence, a charge he now faces.
Neal is scheduled to appear in Vermont Superior Court in Bennington on March 16, 2026, at 8:30 AM to address the allegations against him. Charges remain unproven in court until the legal process concludes. The Shaftsbury Fire Department and the Arlington Rescue Squad assisted at the scene of the accident.
Source: Vermont State Police
About this report AI-assisted
Source: Vermont State Police ↗
How this was written: This story was drafted with AI assistance from public-record sources and published under VTScout's editorial standards. Spot something wrong? Request a correction.
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.

The VTScout newsroom covers Vermont local news, public safety, and community life across the four regions of the state. Tips and corrections welcome at [email protected].