NEWS

Police identify Morrisville crash victims

Elizabeth Murray
Free Press Staff Writer

Morristown police have identified two Morrisville residents who were found dead in a car that became submerged in the Lamoille River this weekend.

Chris Koonz of Wolcott offers a brief prayer on Monday, November 28, 2016, on Route 15A in Morrisville near where Lenny Audet and Paul Smith died Saturday when their car plunged into the Lamoille River .

Paul Smith, 34, and Leonard Audet, 25, were declared dead after the 2005 Saab in which they drove left Vermont 15A near Darling Road in Morrisville and became submerged in the Lamoille River, Morristown police Detective Ryan Bjerke said on Monday. Smith was the driver and Audet was a passenger.

A cross and a bouquet of flowers by the side of the road are seen on Monday, November 28, 2016, on Route 15A in Morrisville near where Lenny Audet and Paul Smith died Saturday when their car plunged into the Lamoille River .

Members of the Morristown Police Department, Morrisville Fire Department, Morristown Rescue and Johnson Water Rescue responded to the scene at about 8:20 a.m. Saturday after receiving a call about the crash. Bjerke said police believe the car was in the river for a period of time before it was discovered, but they are investigating how long the car was submerged.

A cross and a bouquet of flowers by the side of the road are seen on Monday, November 28, 2016, on Route 15A in Morrisville near where Lenny Audet and Paul Smith died Saturday when their car plunged into the Lamoille River .

Police believe speed may have been a factor in the single-car crash. They are also attempting to determine what the road conditions may have been at the time, Bjerke said. Bjerke said he is not anticipating any arrests in the case.

Lamoille County State's Attorney Paul Finnerty said Sunday his office has been made aware of the crash. He said his office will work with police to "determine if it's anything more than an accident" based on the autopsy reports of the two men.

Morristown police are continuing to investigate the crash. Police urge those with information related to the crash to call the department at 888-4211.

2 die after vehicle crashes into Lamoille River

This story was first posted online on Nov. 28, 2016.

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

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