Vermont Man Huffs Before Causing Fatal Car Crash

via WCAX.com

 

A Vermont man was charged with gross negligent operation for crashing into three pedestrians. One died from his injuries. The man initially told police that the accident was caused by a stuck floor mat. Authorities later stated that the crash was due to huffing. 

Vermont Woman Charged with Huffing and Driving

Via Rutland Herald 

A 19-year-old Vermont woman was arraigned on misdemeanor charges of negligent driving and driving under the influence of drugs.  The charges come after two separate occasions where the woman was huffing and driving.

In the first incident, a police office responded to a car accident.  Police believe the woman crashed into a parked car after huffing computer duster spray.  During the second incident, police witnessed the woman huffing in her car.  Although she did not display enough signs to be charged with driving under influence during the second incident she was charged with negligent driving.

Vermont Man Pleads Guilty to Huffing Behind the Wheel

Via the Burlington Free Press in Vermont:

A 19 year old man has pleaded guilty to huffing behind the wheel, resulting in the death of a 56 year old New Hampshire man.

The accident occurred June 30^th of last year. The driver hit the motorcyclist, causing him to roll onto the hood of the car and then under a wheel. The man was pronounced dead at the hospital.  The car's passenger later told police they had both huffed computer dusting spray while driving.  

 

At the driver’s arraignment last August the judge ordered the defendant released on the condition he attend a residential treatment program. In exchange for his guilty plea yesterday the prosecution agreed to “drop a charge of gross negligent operation of a motor vehicle resulting in death and to argue, at sentencing, for no more than a five-year prison sentence.” At the man’s sentencing next month he can argue for a suspended sentence of 15 years and no prison time.

Vermont Mother Charged with Child Endangerment After Huffing

Via the Rutland Herald in Vermont:


A 22 year old woman had denied charges she endangered her children earlier this month and caused multiple vehicle crashes last year after she had allegedly been abusing inhalants.

She was charged with a “felony count of endangering a child under the age of 2, two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to a child, five misdemeanor counts of careless or negligent operation of a motor vehicle and a charge of leaving the scene of a crash.” Her conditions of release included a curfew at her new address and no contact with her three children.

In early January police were called to her apartment by the father of one her children. He said he came to his 4 year old daughter’s birthday party and found her mother face down on her bed huffing an aerosol can. He took his daughter and when police arrived they found two young children pulling food from the refrigerator while their mother was huffing behind a closed door.

The other charges involve a series of crashes last fall in which she had admitted to huffing computer dusting spray.

Second Inhalant Fatality in Vermont

Via WCAX in Vermont:

Last week we posted about the tragic case in Rutland where a 17 year old girl was killed after a driver passed out after huffing behind the wheel. 

This article from yesterday also points out that the Rutland case was the second inhalant related crash and fatality in two months.  In the previous case, a 18year old male was huffing while driving and crashed into the back of a motorcycle, killing the 56 year old rider.

17 Year Old Girl Killed in Vermont by Huffing Driver

Via Burlington Free Press in Vermont:

On Thursday, September 27^th, a Rutland High School student was killed by a driver under the influence of inhalants. As she climbed into her father’s vehicle after leaving work for the day, the young girl was crushed in between the two cars. The impact left her with multiple serious injuries ultimately leading to her death. Her father was also injured, as well as the two passengers in the offender’s vehicle. Police report finding alcohol and two aerosol cans in the bushes near by the crash, determined to have come from the driver of the speeding car.

The driver is facing one count of manslaughter, and “three counts of grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle with serious bodily injury.” The arraignment will take place on Friday, September 28^th.

There has been an outpouring of support from the Rutland High School community, from school administrators, parents, and students alike. The day after the crash the students communicated to one another to wear white the next day out of respect for their classmate, in addition to a candle light vigil to be held the same night. School psychologists and teachers have also been asked to assist students with their grief.

 

Youth Inhaling in Vermont

The Times Argus of Vermont reported yesterday that two juveniles from Barre were caught inhaling from an aerosol can around 3:00 PM on Monday. One of them had to be hospitalized as a result of the inhalant.

We haven't been able to gather more details but will post any updated information.