STATE
OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT
OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT
STATE POLICE
NEWS
RELEASE
MOTOR
VEHICLE CRASH
CASE#:
26A3003925
RANK/TROOPER
FULL NAME: Trooper Rodzel
STATION:
Berlin Barracks
CONTACT#:
802-748-3111
DATE/TIME:
May 17, 2026, at approximately 1312 hours
STREET:
Interstate 89 S
TOWN:
Middlesex
INTERSTATE
MILE MARKER: MM54
WEATHER:
Clear
ROAD
CONDITIONS: Black top, dry
VEHICLE
#1
OPERATOR:
Judith Woodbeck
AGE:
79
SEAT
BELT? Y
CITY,
STATE OF RESIDENCE: Williamstown, VT
VEHICLE
YEAR: 2023
VEHICLE
MAKE: Buick
VEHICLE
MODEL: Encore
DAMAGE TO
VEHICLE #1: Major front passenger side
INJURIES:
Suspected Minor
HOSPITAL:
Central Vermont Medical Center, Berlin
VEHICLE
#2
OPERATOR:
Timothy Gray
AGE:
44
SEAT
BELT? Y
CITY,
STATE OF RESIDENCE: Shelburne, VT
PASSENGER
1: Juvenile
AGE: 15
SEAT
BELT? Y
CITY,
STATE OF RESIDENCE: Burlington, VT
VEHICLE
YEAR: 2019
VEHICLE
MAKE: Peterbilt
VEHICLE
MODEL: 337 (flatbed)
DAMAGE TO
VEHICLE #2: Moderate front end
INJURIES:
None
HOSPITAL:
N/A
VEHICLE
#3
OPERATOR:
Steven Ferland
AGE:
59
SEAT
BELT? Y
CITY,
STATE OF RESIDENCE: Hardwick, VT
PASSENGER
1: Lori Demers
AGE: 63
SEAT
BELT? Y
CITY,
STATE OF RESIDENCE: Hardwick, VT
PASSENGER
2: Nicholas Demers
AGE: 33
SEAT
BELT: Y
CITY,
STATE OF RESIDENCE: Hardwick, VT
VEHICLE
YEAR: 2024
VEHICLE
MAKE: Ford
VEHICLE
MODEL: Edge
DAMAGE TO
VEHICLE #1: Minor front driver's side
INJURIES:
None
HOSPITAL:
N/A
VEHICLE
#4
OPERATOR:
Daniel Silvia
AGE:
58
SEAT
BELT? Y
CITY,
STATE OF RESIDENCE: Taftville, CT
PASSENGER 1: Jeanette Holdridge
AGE: 46
SEATBELT: Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Taftville, CT
VEHICLE
YEAR: 2025
VEHICLE
MAKE: Ram
VEHICLE
MODEL: Promaster 2500
DAMAGE TO
VEHICLE #1: Minor front driver's side
INJURIES:
None
HOSPITAL:
N/A
SUMMARY
OF CRASH:
On May
17, 2026, at approximately 1312 hours, Troopers from the Berlin Barracks
responded to a reported wrong way driver on Interstate 89 S near MM51 in
Berlin. While responding to the area numerous 911 calls reported the wrong way
driver crashed near MM54 in Middlesex. Troopers arrived at the scene and
determined that Judith Woodbeck (79) had been travelling northbound in the
southbound lanes of travel on Interstate 89 South.
Woodbeck's
vehicle, a 2023 Buick Encore, struck a 2019 Peterbilt flatbed that was
travelling in the passing lane. The Peterbilt then entered the median before
coming to rest on the edge of Interstate 89 North. When Woodbeck's vehicle spun
out after the crash it resulted in additional damage to two other vehicles, a
2025 Ram Promaster 2500 and a 2024 Ford Edge. The Ram and Ford were driven from
the scene. The Buick and Peterbilt were towed from the scene. Interstate 89
North and South were only open to a single lane of travel during this incident.
Troopers
met with Woodbeck at CVMC and issued her a criminal citation for Gross
Negligent Operator. She will appear in Washington County Criminal Court on July
16, 2026, at 0830 hours to answer to the charge.
Troopers
were assisted on scene by members of Berlin PD, Barre Town Ambulance,
Montpelier Ambulance, Montpelier Fire Department and Middlesex Fire Department.
LODGED -
LOCATION: N/A
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT:
N
COURT
ACTION: Y
COURT:
Washington County Criminal Court
COURT
DATE/TIME: 7/16/2026 at 0830 hours
*Please
note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.
