News

VTrans gears up for winter storm after I-91 fatality

By Jordan J. Phelan
[email protected]
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — In anticipation of a day-long, drawn-out storm, members of the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) are already prepped for the approximately 1,000-mile corridor of snow from the Rocky Mountains to Maine.

“All the trucks are prepared with de-icing equipment and the plows are operational,” Joe Ruzzo, the district maintenance manager for VTrans’s operations in Dummerston, said in an interview with the Eagle Times on Monday. “Within 24 hours of knowing that a winter storm is imminent, we get the trucks loaded up with the liquid salt into the tanks on the trucks.”

This storm comes less than a week following a fatal crash in Springfield.

Vermont State Police released the name of a Springfield man who was killed Friday afternoon after his vehicle slid off Interstate 91 amid rainy weather and icy road conditions.

Michael Luurtsema, 61, of Springfield, was operating his vehicle in the southbound lane when he exited the roadway by driving off the right shoulder, according to a press release made available by the Vermont State Police on Friday.

Vermont State Police were notified of the single-vehicle crash on the 290.4-mile roadway Friday at approximately 2:10 p.m. When state police and members of the Springfield Fire Department arrived at the scene — near mile marker 44.9 — Luurtsema’s 2007 Dodge Ram pickup truck was identified off the right side of the southbound lane.

The vehicle had collided with numerous trees before coming to a rest, according to officials.

Luurtsema was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident from injuries sustained by blunt force trauma.

After hearing about the news, friends and family of Luurtsema decided to remember their loved one on social media.

In a Facebook post on Friday night, Michael’s brother Chris Luurtsema wrote: “Our family lost 2 amazing men this year. My heroes… To be a brother and a son to both is truly an honor.”

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

On Sunday afternoon, the Vermont State Police Williston Barracks responded to approximately 31 motor vehicle related calls for services.

Ruzzo commented that in situations like Friday “the weather conditions change from mile to mile” and the most important thing is for operators to “recognize road conditions and act accordingly because in the long run that will be the most effective way [to prevent a crash or collision] and ensure safety.”

“In situations where it is just starting to snow and the road is not completely covered yet we will treat the roads,” Ruzzo said. “That way, the roads don’t get that slickness, which is always the challenge.”

The National Weather Service report issued Monday afternoon said the Twin Valley area could receive four inches of snowfall by Tuesday evening.

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