STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

NEWS RELEASE

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

 

CASE#: 21B302322                                      

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Colin Shepley/ Irwin/ Grimes, Sergeant Rider

STATION: Shaftsbury Barracks                                

CONTACT#: 802-442-5421

 

DATE/TIME: 08/14/2021 at 1905 hours.

STREET: US Route 7

TOWN: Pownal

LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: South Mason Hill Road

WEATHER: Clear and warm.

ROAD CONDITIONS: Dry

 

VEHICLE #1

OPERATOR: Kyle D. Thayer

AGE: 36    

SEAT BELT? No

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Clarksburg, MA

 

VEHICLE YEAR: 2020

VEHICLE MAKE: Honda UTV

VEHICLE MODEL: Talon

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Totaled

INJURIES: Life Threatening

HOSPITAL: Albany Medical Center

 

VEHICLE #2

OPERATOR: Todd L. Rhinemiller

AGE: 48    

SEAT BELT? DOT Approved Helmet

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Adams, MA

 

VEHICLE YEAR: 2021

VEHICLE MAKE: Harley Davidson

VEHICLE MODEL: Pan Am Special

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Totaled

INJURIES: Fatal

HOSPITAL: Albany Medical Center

 

SUMMARY OF CRASH: On the above date and time, Troopers from the Vermont State Police Shaftsbury Barracks, were dispatched to a motorcycle versus UTV crash on US Route 7 in the Town of Pownal. State Police Dispatch advised that one operator had been ejected from a vehicle.

 

Investigation revealed that operator #1 (Thayer) was operating a UTV southbound in the southbound breakdown lane of US Route 7. Thayer attempted to make a left turn onto Mason Hill Road South by crossing U.S. Route 7.  When he entered the southbound travel lane, he was struck in the driver's side door of his UTV by operator #2 (Rhinemiller), who was operating southbound on US Route 7. Both vehicles continued off the east side of the roadway where Rhinemiller was ejected over a guardrail.

 

During the investigation Thayer displayed signs of alcohol impairment.  He was subsequently screened for driving under the influence and criminal charges are pending the results of a blood test. 

 

Operator #2 (Rhinemiller) was transported from the scene and flown to Albany Medical Center in New York, where he succumbed to injuries.  Operator #1 (Thayer) was transported to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center before ultimately being flown to Albany Medical Center.     

 

Vermont Civil Violation Complaint: Criminal Charges Pending

LODGED - LOCATION: N/A

BAIL: N/A

MUG SHOT: N/A

COURT ACTION: N/A

COURT: Pending

COURT DATE/TIME: Pending

 

*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 Colin Shepley

Vermont State Police Shaftsbury

96 Airport Road Shaftsbury, VT 05262

802-442-5421