Newport Police Cruiser Involved in Crash During Vehicle Pursuit

Suspect was Spotted Traveling 72 m.p.h. in a 25 m.p.h. Zone

NEWPORT, Vermont — Lt. Travis Bingham reports that a Newport Police Department cruiser was involved in a crash last night following a vehicle pursuit.

At approximately 10:10 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, a Newport Police officer monitoring traffic on Mt. Vernon Street observed two vehicles traveling east in a 25 m.p.h. zone, including a SUV and a red sedan believed to be a Volkswagen Jetta.

The sedan passed the SUV at a speed of 72 m.p.h., and the officer immediately activated his lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The officer pursued the sedan onto Pine Hill Road, east onto 191 Access Road and then east onto Schuler Road, where both vehicles lost traction.

An initial investigation indicates that the sedan regained control and fled the scene without crashing, while the cruiser left the roadway and crashed into a tree. The officer was transported from the scene with non-life threatening injuries and has since been released from North Country Hospital.

As is protocol, the crash is being investigated by the Vermont State Police. Anyone with information about the red sedan involved in this incident is asked to contact Newport Police at 802-334-6733.

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