STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
CASE#: 26A4000514
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Rodzel
STATION: St. Johnsbury Barracks
CONTACT#: 802-222-4680
DATE/TIME: January 17, 2026, at approximately 1414 hours
STREET: Lackey Hill Rd
TOWN: St. Johnsbury
CROSS STREETS: Mayhew Dr
WEATHER: Snowing
ROAD CONDITIONS: Black top / standing snow
VEHICLE #1
OPERATOR: Caleb Smith
AGE: 24
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: St. Johnsbury, VT
VEHICLE YEAR: 2020
VEHICLE MAKE: Ford
VEHICLE MODEL: F550
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Damage to salt spreader
INJURIES: None
HOSPITAL: N/A
VEHICLE #2
OPERATOR: Thomas Allen
AGE: 35
SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: St. Johnsbury, VT
VEHICLE YEAR: 2017
VEHICLE MAKE: Chevrolet
VEHICLE MODEL: Silverado
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Moderate front end damage
INJURIES: None
HOSPITAL: N/A
SUMMARY OF CRASH:
On January 17, 2026, at approximately 1414 hours, Troopers from the St. Johnsbury Barracks responded to a two-vehicle crash involving a Town of St. Johnsbury plow truck. Troopers arrived and determined Caleb Smith was reversing Vehicle 1, town plow truck, attempting to turn onto an adjacent road when he failed to see Vehicle 2 behind him, resulting in a collision. Vehicle 1 was driven from the scene. Vehicle 2 was towed from the scene due to damage.