STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
CASE#: 25B3005065
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Jared Lacoste
STATION: Shaftsbury Barracks
CONTACT#: 802-442-5421
DATE/TIME: 12/13/25 at approximately 1647 hours
STREET: VT Route 7A
TOWN: Shaftsbury
LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: Lake Shaftsbury
INTERSTATE MILE MARKER: N/A
WEATHER: Clear
ROAD CONDITIONS: Clear
VEHICLE #1
OPERATOR: Gary R. Neal
AGE: 71
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Hoosick Falls, NY
VIOLATION: DUI #1
VEHICLE YEAR: 2008
VEHICLE MAKE: Toyota
VEHICLE MODEL: Yaris
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Front-end
INJURIES: Minor
HOSPITAL: SVMC
SUMMARY OF CRASH:
On 12/13/25 at approximately 1647 hours, the Vermont State Police-Shaftsbury Barracks responded to the area of VT Route 7A near Lake Shaftsbury for a report of a crash. Through investigation, it was determined that Gary Neal (71) of Hoosick Falls, NY, was operating a 2008 Toyota Yaris and veered off the road and into a guardrail. While speaking with Neal, Troopers identified multiple indicators of impairment. Neal was transported to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center for minor injuries.
Neal was processed at the hospital and is scheduled to appear in Vermont Superior Court Bennington-Criminal Division at a later date and time to answer to the charge of DUI #1.
The Shaftsbury Fire Department, the Arlington Rescue Squad, and Southern Vermont Auto assisted Troopers on scene.
LODGED - LOCATION: N/A
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT: N
COURT ACTION: Y
COURT: Bennington
COURT DATE/TIME: 03/16/2026 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.
