MONTGOMERY MAN KILLED IN FIERY NEWPORT CRASH
By Gregory J. Lamoureux
County Courier
NEWPORT CENTER: Vermont State Police say a Montgomery man was killed early this morning when he attempted to pass a vehicle on the crest of a hill.
Trooper Debra Munson of the Vermont State Police said that James Robitaille, 33, of Montgomery was the sole occupant of his 2015 Ford Edge, which burst into flames from the collision.
“The Fire Department worked quickly and diligently to douse the flames,” said Munson, describing the wreckage.
Munson said the vehicle coming in the oncoming lane, a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by 68-year-old Lowell resident Rex Starr flipped due to the collision. Starr was also killed as a result of the crash.
The accident happened on VT Route 100, near Tetrault Road in Newport Center.
The incident was reported to Vermont State Police at around 5:50 am, according to Munson, who also reported a second fatal crash around the same time, not too far away in the Town of Morgan. In that case, Daniel Frascoia, 27, of Newport died as a result of the one vehicle crash.
Munson attributed both crashes, at least in part, to speed.
All three bodies were transported to the office of the Medical Examiner in Burlington for an autopsy as an investigation continues.
