WATERBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – The Vermont state trooper who crashed into a fire truck was traveling between 79 and 86 mph at the point of impact– that’s according to a crash report obtained by WCAX News.

The report, conducted by state police, shows the cruiser driven by Cpl. Eric Vitali was going 88 mph just prior to crashing into a firetruck on March 8 on Interstate 89 in Bethel. Data from the vehicle shows brakes and steering were used, indicating that it’s unlikely Vitali lost consciousness prior to the crash.

Vitali’s state-issued cellphone and other devices showed no user activity leading up to the crash.

A warrant was issued to Verizon to track possible activity on Vitali’s personal cellphone.

The crash report concluded that Vitali failed to see and react to the fire truck, despite emergency lights being activated and road flares behind the truck. Why Vitali didn’t avoid the truck remains under investigation.

State police say the roadway was dry at the time of the incident.

Vitali was on his way to a first-aid training at Waterbury’s state police headquarters when he crashed into the back of a Bethel Volunteer Fire Department tanker truck that was responding to another crash just north of the Bethel exit.

Vitali, a 19-year veteran of the state police, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in the crash. He was airlifted to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in critical condition. He was the only person injured in the incident.

The Vermont Troopers’ Association– on behalf of Vitali’s family– says he has been moved to a rehab facility where he’s undergoing extensive cognitive and physical therapy.

Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.

Vermont’s Republican Gov. Phil Scott has vetoed a bill to severely restrict a type of pesticide that’s toxic to bees and other pollinators, saying the legislation “is more anti-farmer than it is pro-pollinator.”

Just in time for summer, a beachy new brewery has joined Waterbury’s beer scene. On Friday, May 17, the Tropic Brewing opened its taproom at 40 Foundry Street for full pours, bar snacks and 12-ounce to-go cans of its sessionable lower-alcohol beers.

Brothers Matt and Zack Gordon brainstormed the biz while on a trip to Puerto Rico, Matt said. “I love Vermont’s four seasons, but there’s something so fun about that part of the world.”

The name also nods to the etymology of trópos — Greek for “a turn or change.” Running the Tropic is a career change for brewer Matt, 41, who has lived in Waterbury since 2012 and previously worked for agricultural industry groups, including the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association.

Matt has been homebrewing since age 21, when he purchased a copy of Greg Noonan’s New Brewing Lager Beer: The Most Comprehensive Book for Home- and Microbrewers and considered the hobby a creative outlet, he said. He picked it back up in earnest a few years ago, focusing on lagers and sessionable beers, which were harder to find at the time.

Those styles make up the bulk of his brews on the Tropic’s four-barrel system. Early favorites include the Dorado Mexican-style lager and Oceania cold IPA; most of the lineup contains 5 percent alcohol or less.

“They don’t crush you the next day, but they retain a lot of flavor and a lot of interest,” Matt said.

The Gordons opted to sell their beer in 12-ounce cans to differentiate the Tropic further from breweries that use the more common 16-ounce tallboys. The brothers prefer the smaller format, Matt said, “because you can finish a beer before it gets warm.”

The bright 21-seat tasting room serves full and half pours to pair with bar snacks such as plantain chips, chips and salsa, and tinned fish. It’s currently open Friday and Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m.