On Sept. 25, at 10:13 a.m., troopers from the State Police — Rutland Barracks responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 7 at the intersection with Middle Road in Clarendon.
Shortly prior to the report of the crash, several 911 calls were made to state police dispatch to report erratic operation of a black minivan bearing an unknown New Jersey registration. The 911 reports indicated that the vehicle was traveling north on US Route 7 at speeds exceeding the posted speed limits as well as unsafely passing vehicles.
Through investigation it was determined that James DeFazio, 42, was operating a Chrysler minivan going north on US Route 7 in a negligent manner while disregarding the stoplight holding northbound traffic on US Route 7. Robert Goddard, 70, of Rutland, was operating a Subaru Forester traveling south on US Route 7, making a left turn onto Windcrest Rd. with a green turn signal. DeFazio entered the intersection, causing a head-on collision with Goddard. After the collision, DeFazio continued, sliding sideways through the grassy area along the right side of the northbound US Route 7 lane for approximately 344 feet before impacting the end of a guardrail, causing the vehicle to stop. Neither operator reported injuries from the crash.
State police were assisted on scene by members of the Rutland Town Fire Dept. and Regional Ambulance Services.
