HARDWICK – On June 23, at 5:16 p.m., Hardwick Police were dispatched to a truck-deer accident on Route 16 near the Touch of Grace Church. The operator, James Dyer, was not injured, and the deer could not be found. The truck, a 2021 Toyota Tacoma, received damage to the drivers side front fender, headlight assembly, grill and bumper.
On June 25, at 7:54 a.m., the Hardwick Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Route 15 E in the town of Hardwick for a motor vehicle violation that occurred on Route 16. The operator, identified as Lucas Molleur of East Hardwick, was operating with a criminally suspended license. Molleur has been cited into the Caledonia Unit of the Superior Court of Vermont, Criminal Division, to be arraigned on the charge.
On June 27, at 11:16 a.m., Hardwick Police, Fire and Rescue squads were dispatched to a two-car crash at the intersection of Route 16 and Belfry Road. Upon arrival, the occupants of the 2017 Kia Sportage were entrapped and required extrication. The operator of the Kia, Elain Badger of Wolcott and her passenger, Betty Tulip of White River Junction, were transported to Copley Hospital by Hardwick Rescue. The operator of a 2020 Ram 2500, Erik Boelens, was out of the vehicle and denied any injuries. The investigation showed Boelen was traveling north on Route 16 and Badger was traveling west on Belfry Road attempting to make a turn onto Route 16. Badger did not see Boelens truck approaching and pulled out in front of it. Boelens tried to avoid hitting the Kia by braking and turning the steering wheel left but ultimately could not avoid hitting the other vehicle. Both vehicles sustained major damage to the front of the vehicles.
