Rutland ,VT : 17- Years old student critically injured after head-on collision along SR 7 on Sunday ,April 26 2015

A head-on collision Sunday that injured the two drivers occurred on a stretch of Route 7 near Pinnacle Ridge Road that underwent a quarter-million dollar safety improvement project.

Police say John Thomas, 63, was driving north in his Jeep Laredo when a southbound driver, a 17-year-old male driving a Toyota Camry, crossed into oncoming traffic.

The principal of Mount St. Joseph Academy, Sarah Fortier, confirmed the 17-year-old is a student at the school, but would not comment further until a press release was issued.

Police, hospital and MSJ officials have not released the name of the 17-year-old driving the Camry.

Rutland Town Police Chief Edward Dumas said the minor was in critical condition Monday. Dumas said the juvenile appeared to be unconscious at the scene and was transported out of Rutland, but declined to say where he was taken.

Dumas said he had not spoken to the 17-year-old’s family yet.

The crash occurred at a location that state and local officials say is notorious for serious accidents.

Bruce Nyquist, the director for Vermont’s Office of Highway Safety, said the roadway near Pinnacle Ridge Road was altered two years ago in an effort to shore up safety.

Rutland Town Administrator Joseph Zingale said the project to widen the road for safer passing and turning cost about $250,000.

Zingale said the Pinnacle Ridge Road area is the most dangerous area in Rutland Town, leading to more fatalities than anywhere else.

Thomas was taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center and listed in good condition Monday night, a spokeswoman said.

No passengers were inside either car, but two dogs were inside the Laredo. One of the dogs was killed during the crash.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said the surviving dog appeared to have suffered serious injury and was carried away, unable to walk on its own.


source :
MSJ teen critical after crash on Route 7