STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

NEWS RELEASE

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

CASE#: 21B303317

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Sergeant Justin Walker & Trooper Colin Shepley

STATION: Shaftsbury Field Station

CONTACT#: 802-442-5421

DATE/TIME: 11/20/21 @ 1832 hours

STREET: Washing Brook Road

TOWN: Pownal

LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: Middle Pownal Road

INTERSTATE MILE MARKER:

WEATHER: Cloudy, cold

ROAD CONDITIONS: dirt road, dry

VEHICLE #1

OPERATOR: Ralph Wilcox

AGE: 49    

SEAT BELT? N

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Pownal, VT

VEHICLE YEAR: 2020

VEHICLE MAKE: CF Moto

VEHICLE MODEL: Z Force 950

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: totaled from rollover

INJURIES: Severe head trauma

HOSPITAL: Albany Medical Center

VEHICLE #2

OPERATOR: N/A Single vehicle crash

AGE:      

SEAT BELT? Y/N

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE:

VEHICLE YEAR:

VEHICLE MAKE:

VEHICLE MODEL:

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2:

INJURIES:

HOSPITAL: (IDENTIFY)

*** UPDATED RELEASE***

One of the occupants of the UTV involved, Ralph Wilcox, has died of his

injuries. These injuries included severe head trauma. Wilcox died at the Albany

Medical Center after having been transported there following the crash. Wilcox

nor the other occupants were wearing helmets or safety restraint devices at the

time of the crash. All occupants were ejected from the vehicle during the crash.

This crash is still under investigation and anyone who may have information

pertaining to this incident is encouraged to contact Sgt Justin Walker at the

Vermont State Police Barracks in Shaftsbury at 802-442-5421.

 

**Original Release**

SUMMARY OF CRASH: On 11/20/21 at approximately 1832 hours Vermont State Police

were dispatched to the area of 457 Washing Brook Road, Pownal, for a UTV crash.

Troopers arrived on scene and began investigating the incident.

During investigation Troopers learned Ralph Wilcox, Tanya Taylor, and Eric

Becker were riding in the CF Moto side-by-side at the time of the crash.

It is suspected high rates of speed contributed to the UTV losing control and

subsequently flipping completely over before coming to final rest. All 3

occupants were thrown from the vehicle, causing severe bodily injury to Wilcox

and moderate injury to Taylor. It is suspected alcohol was also a contributing

factor in this crash.

Wilcox was transported to the Albany Medical Center for treatment as was Taylor.

This incident is still considered open and pending investigation. Anyone with

information is encouraged to contact Sergeant Justin Walker, of the Shaftsbury

Barracks at 802-442-5421. Information can also be submitted anonymously online

at www.vtips.info or  text "CRIMES" (274637) to Keyword: VTIPS.