VSP: BAKERSFIELD CRASH WAS ATTEMPTED MURDER
BAKERSFIELD: Vermont State Police say a crash that occurred on Route 36 in Bakersfield Sunday afternoon was an act of attempted murder.
Trooper Ashley Farmer of the St. Albans Barracks released the statement late Sunday evening. In that statement, Farmer said Jeffrey A. Cota Sr., 53, of Bakersfield is being charged with attempted murder after crossing the centerline, intentionally hitting another vehicle head-on.
State Police said the vehicle was being operated by a relative but did not release the name of the driver. The County Courier confirmed Sunday the other driver was Cota’s stepson, Harley Demag, Jr.
Cota and Demag’s mother were in the process of separating, according to sources, leading to tensions within the family, including filing restraining orders on each other.
The crash happened just east of Cross Road on Route 36 on Sunday, September 8th. It was reported at around 2:03 pm.
Emergency crews including Bakersfield Fire Department, Enosburgh Ambulance, Vermont State Police and Vermont Game Wardens responded to the scene.
The roadway was closed until about 7:30 pm, according to police.
The County Courier was the first news agency to publish the news of the attempted murder charges on Sunday night.
This is not the first time Cota has been in trouble with the law, public records indicate he served a year on probation from June 1, 2012, through May 31st, 2013.
Cota is due in court in Franklin County Monday afternoon to answer to the attempted murder charge. He is currently being held on $100,000 bail at Northwest Correctional Center in St. Albans.
The County Courier will bring you more information as it becomes available. Follow our Facebook page and website for more local news updates.
