Police: Drag racing caused S. Burlington crash

SOUTH BURLINGTON - The police chief in South Burlington says he's angry after a drag race between two cars on a city street caused a crash with a third car, sending that vehicle's two passengers to the hospital.

A Shelburne man whom police say was involved in the race was issued a citation following the Wednesday night crash on Kennedy Drive.

"Last evening a father was driving his daughter home at the end of a long day," Chief Trevor Whipple wrote Thursday in a letter to the community. "They were doing nothing wrong. Fortunately both were properly restrained by seat belts and a youth safety seat."

He added, "The crash caused extensive damage and non-life-threatening injuries to the father and daughter. Instead of having casual conversation and arriving safely home their day was shattered with fear, panic, and pain. All because an irresponsible driver took no time to consider how his actions might impact the lives of others."

Tyler Richards, 18, was driving over the posted speed limit of 40 mph, police said — though they declined to say exactly how fast they believe he was going. He was ordered to appear in April in Vermont Superior Court to answer a charge of negligent driving.

South Burlington Police Detective Ron Bliss said the other driver in the race has been identified, but police had yet to determine whether to bring charges. Bliss said Richards and the other driver knew each other, but the race did not appear to have been planned.

The crash on Kennedy Drive closed the two westbound lanes between Dorset Street and North Twin Oaks Terrace for about three hours. The truck driven by Richards hit a car that was turning onto Kennedy Drive from North Twin Oaks Terrace, police said.

The crash occurred shortly before 7:45 p.m. South Burlington Rescue brought the father and daughter in the turning car to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, and at least one of those people was admitted to spend the night, Bliss said.

Whipple told the Burlington Free Press on Thursday that he was withholding the names of the two victims during the continuing criminal investigation but intends to release their identities eventually. The father was out of the hospital while the child remained hospitalized late Thursday afternoon, he added.

South Burlington's crash reconstruction team investigated the wreck. The impact caused the turning car to spin out of control and leave the roadway, police said. The car received serious damage and came to rest in a grassy area. The truck sustained front-end damage.

Debris remained scattered across the westbound lanes of the roadway as emergency crews worked to remove the damaged car from the side of the road around 8:30 p.m. Sgt. Edward Soychak said the force of the impact was "significant."

Chief Whipple said police have no tolerance for careless and negligent driving in the city. He also distributed photos of the two vehicles involved and posted them on the police department's Facebook page, along with his letter.

"If you drive carelessly, if you race, if you violate safe driving laws, expect to be caught and expect to face the appropriate consequences, which could be tickets and/or arrest," Whipple wrote.

This story was first posted online on March 16, 2016, and updated on March 17. Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LizMurraySMC.

Chief Trevor Whipple's Letter: 

On behalf of the men and women at the South Burlington Police Department (SBPD) I would like to take a moment today to discuss a very important part of our job:  Traffic Safety.  Each of us has taken an oath to protect and serve all who live, work and visit our community.  I can assure you that all who work at SBPD do not take this oath lightly.

Last evening a father was driving his daughter home at the end of a long day.  They were doing nothing wrong.  Fortunately both were properly restrained by seatbelts and a youth safety seat.  Had they not been properly restrained this message would be even more tragic.  As they entered Kennedy Drive from Twin Oaks Terrace their vehicle was struck by a truck travelling well above the posted speed limit.  The driver of the truck was racing with another vehicle.  The crash caused extensive damage and non-life threatening injuries to the father and daughter.  Instead of having casual conversation and arriving safely home their day was shattered with fear, panic, and pain.  All because an irresponsible driver took no time to consider how his actions might impact the lives of others. 

Our department does not and will not tolerate careless and negligent operation in this City.  If you drive carelessly, if you race, if you violate safe driving laws, expect to be caught and expect to face the appropriate consequences, which could be tickets and/or arrest.  

These are photos taken of two of the vehicles involved in the crash yesterday.  The truck was operated by a male who was racing another vehicle east on Kennedy Drive.  The gold sedan is owned by the victim operator and was also occupied by a 10 year old passenger.  Both were taken to the hospital.  We are thankful and lucky today that no one was killed in this crash.  Yet sadly one family began their day with the horrific memory of this senseless crash.    

Please drive with regard for others.  We have pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycle enthusiasts and other motorists who just want to enjoy this City for all the great things it has to offer.  We should all have the expectation of being safe as we go about our business or pleasure of the day.

If you are the driver of a vehicle you have an obligation to put the safety of others before any other desire you might have.  If you are unable to fulfill that obligation please stay home, get a ride or use public transit.

Our highly dedicated officers work hard to keep South Burlington safe, please help us by being a safe driver.

Trevor S. Whipple, Chief of Police