STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
CASE#: 26B1000192
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Marie Beland
STATION: Vermont State Police – Westminster Barracks
CONTACT#: (802)722-4600x3
DATE/TIME: 01/07/2026 at approximately 0854 hours
STREET: Vermont Route 30
TOWN: Newfane
LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: Depot Road
INTERSTATE MILE MARKER:
WEATHER: Snow/Sleet
ROAD CONDITIONS: Slush/Ice/Snow covered
VEHICLE #1
OPERATOR: Julia O. Shaw
AGE: 49
SEAT BELT? Yes
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Newfane, Vermont
VEHICLE YEAR: 2024
VEHICLE MAKE: Hyundai
VEHICLE MODEL: Santa Cruz
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Totaled
INJURIES: Minor
HOSPITAL: N/A
VEHICLE #2
OPERATOR: Deborah L. Johnson
AGE: 68
SEAT BELT? Yes
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Northfield, Massachusetts
VEHICLE YEAR: 2018
VEHICLE MAKE: Chevrolet
VEHICLE MODEL: Equinox
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Totaled
INJURIES: Minor
HOSPITAL: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
SUMMARY OF CRASH:
On 01/07/2026, at approximately 0854 hours, Vermont State Police responded to a reported two-vehicle crash at the intersection of VT-30 and Depot Road in the Town of Newfane, Vermont. Investigation revealed that a 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, traveling southbound on VT-30, lost control and struck a vehicle that was stopped at the stop sign on Depot Road. The vehicle that was struck was a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox owned by Adventure Limousine Inc. and was being operated as a school transportation vehicle. The Equinox was operated by Deborah L. Johnson, 68 of Northfield, Massachusetts. There was one student passenger on board at the time of the crash, who sustained no injuries. The Hyundai Santa Cruz was operated by Julia O. Shaw, 49, of Newfane, Vermont. Both operators and the passenger were wearing seatbelts and both vehicles sustained airbag deployment. Johnson sustained minor injuries and was transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital by Rescue Inc. Shaw was evaluated at the scene and declined transport. Dummerston Fire Department assisted on scene. The Hyundai Santa Cruz was towed from the scene by Marlboro Towing & Collision; the Chevrolet Equinox was towed from the scene by Rod’s Mobil. Road conditions at the time of the crash were snow/ice/slush covered and it was actively snowing. The speed of the Hyundai Santa Cruz was too great for the existing roadway conditions, which is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
LODGED – LOCATION: N/A
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT: N/A
COURT ACTION: N/A
COURT: N/A
COURT DATE/TIME: N/A
*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.
Trooper Marie Beland
Vermont State Police
Westminster Barracks
1330 Westminster Heights Rd
Putney, Vermont 05346
Tel: (802)722-4600 x3
Email: marie.beland@vermont.gov
