STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
CASE#: 26A3000603
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Kevin Charney
STATION: Berlin Barracks
CONTACT#: 802-229-9191
DATE/TIME: 01/24/2026
STREET: Waterbury Stowe Road
TOWN: Waterbury, VT
LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: Stowebury Road
INTERSTATE MILE MARKER: N/A
WEATHER: Clear
ROAD CONDITIONS: Snowy
VEHICLE #1
OPERATOR: Paula Breining
AGE: 61
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Waitsfield, VT
VEHICLE YEAR: 2009
VEHICLE MAKE: Honda
VEHICLE MODEL: CR-V
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Major front-end damage
INJURIES: Fatal
HOSPITAL: N/A
VEHICLE #2
OPERATOR: Rohtash Kumar
AGE: 41
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Montpelier, VT
PASSENGER: Sita Devi
AGE: 43
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Montpelier, VT
VEHICLE YEAR: 2020
VEHICLE MAKE: Hyundai
VEHICLE MODEL: Tucson
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Major front-end damage
INJURIES: Minor Injuries
HOSPITAL: Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC)
SUMMARY OF CRASH:
On January 24th, 2026, Troopers from the Berlin Barracks responded to a two-car motor vehicle crash located on the Waterbury Stowe Road in the Town of Waterbury. Troopers were advised of possible serious bodily injuries resulting from the crash.
Troopers, Waterbury Fire and EMS responded to the scene. Preliminary investigation revealed that a white Honda CR-V operated by Paula Breining (61) was traveling south on the Waterbury Stowe Road. The Honda CR-V crossed the center line and collided with a blue Hyundai Tucson traveling north and operated by Rohtash Kumar (41). Rohtash Kumar and his passenger, Sita Devi (43) were transported to the Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) for further evaluation of their injuries. Paula Breining (61) was pronounced deceased at the scene. The investigation into this crash is ongoing and there are no further details at this time.
