On Wednesday, Jan. 20, at about 3:22 p.m., the Vermont State Police responded to a head-on automobile crash on Route 125 near West Market Road in Bridport, involving a 2004 Pontiac Vibe and a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The driver of the Pontiac, Thomas Scheufler, age 66 of Shoreham, Vt., was found dead at the scene; his passenger, Deborah Hawkins, age 66 of Shoreham, was taken to Porter Medical Center for rib pain and later released. The operator of the Toyota, Shelby Fernandez, age 21 of Ticonderoga, N.Y., was also transported to Porter Medical Center for knee pain and later released. All involved had been wearing seatbelts. Initial investigation revealed that Fernandez had crossed the center line and struck the Pontiac head-on.
Both vehicles sustained extensive front-end damage.
Bridport Fire Department, Middlebury EMS, Agency of Transportation Highway Department, and Addison County Sheriff’s Department assisted state police at the scene. The Vermont State Police Crash Reconstruction Team responded to the scene as well. The crash is still under investigation.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-388-4919.
