UPDATE: On October 5th, 2026, Vermont State Police received an update from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) advising that the operator of vehicle #1, Michael Hannum of Ware, MA died from his injuries sustained from the crash.
The incident is under further investigation. Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to call the Westminster Barracks at (802) 722-4600, option 3.
STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
CASE#: 26B1008627
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Victor Elias
STATION: Westminster
CONTACT#: (802) 722-4600
DATE/TIME: September 30th, 2026, at 1614 hours
STREET: Vermont Route 9
TOWN: Marlboro, Windham County, Vermont
LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: Staver Road
INTERSTATE MILE MARKER: N/A
WEATHER: Clear / Sunny
ROAD CONDITIONS: Clear
VEHICLE #1
OPERATOR: Michael Hannum
AGE: 65
SEAT BELT? Yes
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Ware, MA
VEHICLE YEAR: 2026
VEHICLE MAKE: JEEP
VEHICLE MODEL: Wrangler
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Totaled
INJURIES: Fatal
HOSPITAL: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC)
VEHICLE #2
OPERATOR: David Shade
AGE: 71
SEAT BELT? YES
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Cogan Station, PA
VEHICLE YEAR: 2020
VEHICLE MAKE: GMC
VEHICLE MODEL: Sierra
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Minor rear end damage
INJURIES: N/A
HOSPITAL: N/A
VEHICLE #3
OPERATOR: Russell B. Hawkins
AGE: 67
SEAT BELT? YES
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Chesterfield, VA
VEHICLE YEAR: 2017
VEHICLE MAKE: Chevrolet
VEHICLE MODEL: Traverse
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Totaled
INJURIES: Minor
HOSPITAL: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH)
SUMMARY OF CRASH:
On September 30th, 2026, at 1614 hours, Vermont State Police, Marlboro Fire Department, Dartmouth Hitchcock Advanced Response Team (DHART), and Rescue Inc. responded to a reported three motor vehicle collision with injuries located on Vermont Route 9 near the intersection of Staver Rd. in Town of Marlboro, Windham County, Vermont. Investigation revealed that vehicle 1 was traveling westbound on VT Route 9 near Staver Road. Vehicle 1 then crossed the center line, entered the eastbound lane of VT Route 9, and struck vehicles 2 and 3, who were traveling eastbound. Operator 1 sustained serious bodily injures and was airlifted to DHMC via DHART. Operator 2 did not sustain any injuries. Operator 3 sustained minor injuries and was transported to BMH. This crash is currently under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to call the Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4600, option 3.
Trooper Victor Elias
Vermont State Police
Westminster Barracks
1330 Westminster Heights Rd.
Putney, Vermont 05346
(802) 722-4600
