By Patrick Adrian
[email protected]
WESTMINSTER, Vt. — After five days of searching, Vermont State Police have reported they identified and subsequently arrested the man responsible for a hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian in Dummerston, Vermont, last Saturday, Oct. 12.
On Thursday, state police in Westminster arrested Jakob Morrissey, 21, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident. Morrissey is a student at Landmark College in Putney, Vermont.
On Oct. 12, at 11 a.m., state troopers from Westminster responded to a vehicle crash on Route 5 in Dummerston, south of the Exit 4 southbound ramp onto Interstate 91. According to a report by Cpl. Brian Turner, of the Westminster barracks, police found an injured pedestrian, Jeffrey Dorsey, 53, of Putney. Police determined that Dorsey had been walking north on Route 5 in the breakdown lane when he was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound, allegedly driven by Morrissey.
Dorsey told police that he was thrown over the guardrail upon impact, but was able to climb back to the edge of the roadway despite his injuries. Several passers-by located Dorsey and stopped to render aid until rescue personnel arrived on scene.
After the collision, “a male of Asian descent,” who police have identified as Morrissey, stepped out of a white vehicle, later identified as a white Mercedes Benz GLA, according to Dorsey. Morrissey alleged told Dorsey that he didn’t hit him with the car but that he would go for help. Morrissey left in his vehicle but never returned.
Dorsey was transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital where he was treated for possible broken bones to the leg and arm, scrapes and a possible back injury, according to police.
Turner reported that Morrissey was seen by witnesses a few minutes later pulling into a Sunoco gas station near the on-ramp.
Surveillance footage from the gas station showed Morrissey exit his vehicle and remove a broken mirror from the passenger side, then return to his car to continue driving north.
Police cited Morrissey and released him to his mother’s custody.
Morrissey is scheduled to appear on Dec. 3 at Windham County Superior Court in Brattleboro.
“The State Police credits assistance from the public and the use of social media in identifying Morrissey and making this arrest,” Turner said.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.