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Readsboro Teen Killed in Snowmobile Accident

Staff Reports

READSBORO, Vt. — A Readsboro teen died Saturday night after being struck by a snowmobile during a party on private property about a mile off Route 100.

The office of the state's attorney is investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident that lead to the death of 18-year-old Jessica Bolognani. The accident was reported at about 10:30 p.m.

According to state police, Bolognani was riding on the back of a 2009 Polaris snowmobile operated by a Richard Bernard, 20, of Whitingham when she fell and was hit by a second snowmobile that was following, a 2001 Polaris being operated by 21-year-old Clinton Birch of Readsboro.

Bolognani was wearing a helmet but sustained a serious head injury and died of her injuries before she arrived at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. She was pronounced dead by the regional medical examiner's office.

A group of young adults were at the camp when Bernard, Bolognani and Birch left the camp to go snowmobiling, said police, and alcohol was involved.

Bennington County State's Attorney Erica Marthage ordered an autopsy on Bolognani by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington on Monday.

The investigation into the incident is continuing; anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Mike Marvin or Trooper Travis Hess at the state police barracks in Shaftsbury at 802-442-5421. 

Bolognani was a star athlete who graduated from Twin Valley High School in Wilmington in June. She was majoring in health sciences at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Both college and high school classmates recalled a friendly, helpful, generous young woman on a Facebook page dedicated to her. "The whole entire town is in total devastation, she was adored by all," wrote one longtime family friend.

Tags: accident, fatal, teen      

Fatal Accident on MassPike

Staff Reports

WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — State police are reporting a fatal accident occurred late this morning at the 1-mile marker on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Added Jan. 1: The driver was Elizabeth McKee, 53, of Rock Creek, N.Y.

The state police barracks in Weston responded to the one-car crash in the eastbound lane at about 10:42 a.m.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Edward Ashman indicated the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree in the median, resulting in fatal injuries to the operator, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Responding emergency medical personnel pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

The crash is under investigation with the assistance of the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction and the Crime Scene Services sections. Troopers were additionally assisted at the scene by the West Stockbridge Fire Department.

No further information is available at this time.

Tags: accident, vehicle, fatal      

Williamstown Crash Injures Two

Staff Reports

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A two-vehicle crash near Cumberland Farms on Monday, Dec. 28, sent residents to the hospital.

Police said Jonathon P. Murphy, 50, of Harrison Avenue pulled out of a Main Street business without stopping at about 1:38 p.m. His 2002 Chevrolet pickup collided with a 2008 Ford sedan operated by Kimberly D. Scott, 22, of North Hoosac Road.

Scott and a passenger were transported to North Adams Regional Hospital by Village Ambulance Service. Both vehicles sustained significant damage and were removed from the scene by Ron's Auto Repair.

Murphy was issued a citation for negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Tags: motor vehicle, accident, injuries      

Adams Collision Sends Woman to BMC

Staff reports

ADAMS, Mass. — A head-on collision between a pickup and a car on Howland Avenue  in front of the Dugout Motel at about 2:22 p.m. sent an eldery woman to the hospital.

Maryann Dilego, 71, of 100 Howland Ave. was taken to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield by Adams Ambulance Service after the red 2002 Hyundai Accent she was driving collided with a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado truck driven by Gary Mazzantini, 50, of 1690 Windsor Road, Cheshire. No further information was provided in the polic