TOWNSHEND — Police arrested a new suspect believed to be driving the car that struck a local man, who later died from his injuries.
In a news release issued just after midnight Sunday, the Vermont State Police announced further investigation found Daniel Carr, 34, of Townshend, was operating the 2009 GMC Sierra that struck Shane Whittaker, 24, of Jamaica, on Route 30 in Townshend at about 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9.
Carr was arrested for gross negligent operation with death resulting, leaving the scene of an accident with death resulting, two counts of reckless endangerment, providing false information to police, driving with a criminally suspended license, failure to comply with ignition interlock device restricted driver’s license, and violation of conditions of release. He was transported to the Westminster State Police Barracks for processing and later taken to Southern State Correctional Facility, where he is being held on $25,000 cash bail. He is expected to be arraigned in court Monday afternoon.
Initially, Jamee Shields, 26, of West Townshend, was suspected of driving the vehicle that struck Whittaker and rolled over. She had been cited for gross negligent operation and reckless endangerment after police determined her child had been in the vehicle at the time of the incident. A court date was scheduled for January.
Now, Shields is cited for providing false information to police. She is scheduled to be arraigned Monday afternoon.
Earlier this month, Carr was arrested by Windham County Sheriff’s Office for a second driving under the influence offense, eluding law enforcement and violation of conditions of release. He and Shields are in a relationship.
Previously, police said Shields showed signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. She was arrested and transported to the Westminster State Police Barracks for processing.
TOWNSHEND — A pedestrian who was critically injured in a crash involving a single vehicle on…
Whittaker had been transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where he stayed in critical condition until he died last week.
A GoFundMe set up to support his family after the tragedy says that Whittaker was driving on Route 30 with two of his best friends when slippery road conditions caused them to drive off the road.
“Unable to get the car back on the road, they were patiently waiting outside the car when a driver under the influence hit Shane with her truck and dragged him several feet while he was pinned underneath,” the page says. “The truck flipped and landed on top of him, causing several life-threatening injuries. Friends with him at the time witnessed this tragedy and will never be the same. Shane remained unresponsive and in a coma on life support, surrounded by loved ones … when he passed away.”
The GoFundMe describes Whittaker as a gentle, deep soul who brought peace to everyone he met.
“He had many friends with whom he had very tight bonds. He enjoyed dancing and creating music with his friends. He was on his way to a bright future as a translator for the deaf. As a CODA (child of deaf adults), he was fluent in sign language,” the page says. “As his father explained, CODAs are a part of a very tight, but underrecognized community that mixes their deaf culture and identity with the rest of the hearing world. Surrounded by members of this loving group, he learned to communicate with them at a very young age.”
Whittaker’s death, the page says, “has left an unimaginable void in the lives of his family, friends, and community. His parents, who poured their love into raising such a kind and talented young man, are now faced with the overwhelming burden of arranging a funeral.”