Williston officer denies DUI charge, resigns

A Williston police officer has resigned amid allegations that he drove under the influence of alcohol, resulting in a rollover crash in September, town police Chief Todd Shepard said Wednesday.

Schuyler Provetto, 28, of Richmond submitted his resignation Monday, Shepard said. Provetto had been on paid administrative leave since the day after his Sept. 22 crash.

Provetto also appeared in Vermont Superior Court in Morristown on Wednesday for a brief arraignment hearing, denying one charge of DUI, first offense, said Lamoille County State's Attorney Paul Finnerty. Provetto was released on standard conditions, including that he not drive a car without a license.

Results of a blood test done following the crash for Provetto shows an alcohol level of 0.154 percent — nearly twice the presumed level for intoxication. The legal blood alcohol content for adult drivers in Vermont is 0.08 percent.

Provetto's license is suspended, Finnerty said. An attempt on Wednesday to reach Provetto's lawyer Karen Shingler was unsuccessful.

Provetto rolled over his 2008 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck on Vermont 100 on a curve near Joe’s Pond Road in Morristown about 9:20 p.m. Sept. 22, town police have said said.

Provetto received minor bumps and bruises, Morristown Police Chief Richard Keith said at the time. The truck was demolished, the chief said. The road was closed for several hours while the utility pole was replaced, police said.

Morristown Rescue took Provetto to Copley Hospital, where he was treated and processed for DUI, police said. That is where the blood test was obtained from Provetto, police said.

Provetto joined Williston Police in October 2011 and completed the full-time police academy course in May 2012.

If found guilty, Provetto faces up to two years in prison or a fine of $750, or both.

Provetto is at least the ninth public safety worker in Vermont processed for suspected DUI since Jan. 1.

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LizMurraySMC.