STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
CASE#: 26B3002358
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Craig Negrin
STATION: Shaftsbury
CONTACT#: (802)442-5421
DATE/TIME: May 10th, 2026, at approximately 2108 hours
STREET: Vermont Route 7A
TOWN: Arlington
LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: Old West Road
INTERSTATE MILE MARKER: N/A
WEATHER: Clear
ROAD CONDITIONS: Dry
VEHICLE #1
OPERATOR: Horace W. Wells Jr.
AGE: 68
SEAT BELT? Yes
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Shaftsbury, Vermont
VEHICLE YEAR: 2014
VEHICLE MAKE: GMC
VEHICLE MODEL: Acadia
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Totaled
INJURIES: Suspected Minor
HOSPITAL: N/A
VEHICLE #2
OPERATOR: Hunter D. Joseph
AGE: 20
SEAT BELT? Yes
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Manchester, Vermont
VEHICLE YEAR: 2014
VEHICLE MAKE: Chevrolet
VEHICLE MODEL: Silverado 1500
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Minor
INJURIES: Suspected Minor
HOSPITAL: N/A
SUMMARY OF CRASH:
On 05/10/2026, at approximately 2108 hours, Vermont Troopers were notified of a crash on Vermont Route 7A near Old West Road in the town of Arlington, VT.
Investigation revealed Horace W. Wells Jr. (68) was travelling South on Vermont Route 7A when he veered off the roadway and collided with a telephone pole. Subsequently, Hunter D. Joseph (20) ran over the knocked-down telephone pole. Both operators received suspected minor injuries in the crash.
The collision also brought down live wires on the roadway, shutting down Vermont Route 7A in the towns of Arlington/Shaftsbury.
The Vermont State Police was assisted by the Shaftsbury Fire Department, Arlington Rescue, Green Mountain Power, and Vermont Agency of Transportation.
