LOWELL – On June 25, at 10:23 p.m., troopers from the Vermont State Police Derby barracks, as well as the Lowell Fire Department and Newport Ambulance Service, were dispatched to a report of a single vehicle crash on Newton Road near Cheney Road in the town of Lowell. A 2021 Polaris RZR side-by-side was reported to have rolled over and a female occupant was extremely injured.
Responders to the scene located the side-by-side overturned on the roadway. The operator, Randy Lemieux II of Lowell, was evaluated by Newport Ambulance Service and reported no injuries.
His passenger, Maddison Hayden of Woodbury, was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Vermont State police, she was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
State troopers observed indicators of impairment while interacting with Lemieux, and he was screened and arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. Lemieux was lodged at Northern State Correctional Facility on $10,000 bail and conditions of release imposed by the court.
Trooper Logan Miller wrote in an affidavit in support of the criminal charge that when he arrived at the scene, the vehicle was on its side in the roadway with a large pool of blood next to it, and drag marks leading to the woods where Hayden’s body was located, according to VTDigger,
Miller wrote, that, from following the tracks, it appeared the vehicle skidded and failed to make it around a corner, going into a ditch and rolling over.
A preliminary breath test revealed Lemieux had a 0.09% blood-alcohol content about 90 minutes after the crash, higher than the 0.08% legal limit for driving in Vermont, the affidavit stated.
An evidentiary test taken at the barracks revealed Lemieux had a 0.052% blood-alcohol content at 1:24 a.m., Friday, about three hours after the crash.
Lemieux appeared in Orleans Criminal Court on Friday, June 26, to answer the charge of DUI with death resulting. He pled not guilty and was released on conditions, due back in court on July 7, Michael Cusanelli of NBC-5 reports.
According to police reports, speed is believed to be a factor in the collision, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or have any information should contact Vermont State Police at (802) 334-8881.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
