News

Police identify Claremont woman killed in I-91 multi-vehicle crash

By Jordan J. Phelan
[email protected]
HARTLAND, Vt. — Vermont State Police have identified the two people involved in a multi-vehicle crash along Interstate 91 on Monday morning that resulted in the fatality of a Claremont resident.

According to police, a 2018 Freightliner box truck driven by 64-year-old Bart Blonstein, of Vernon, Connecticut, was heading north on Interstate 91 when it was involved in a side collision with a 2006 Toyota Corolla operated by Natalia Brodeur, 57, of Claremont. Police say the collision forced Brodeur’s vehicle off the roadway and into the median, where it subsequently rolled over.

Initial reports of the crash indicated there was only a single vehicle involved in a rollover and that the driver suffered possible fatal injuries. While troopers were en route to the scene, a member of the state police from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations stopped and rendered assistance. An operator involved stopped and called 911 and reported that the vehicle involved in the rollover had struck their vehicle, according to a press release issued by the Vermont State Police Royalton Barracks.

Windsor Fire Department and Ambulance responded to the scene and transported Brodeur to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for serious injuries. Brodeur was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Upon initial investigation, police said Brodeur was not wearing her seat belt.

Blonstein was able to stop the truck he was driving in the break down lane north of the crash scene.

The press release also reported another vehicle stopped in the breakdown lane at the time of the collision, with the driver door and rear hatch open, which presented an immediate hazard.

Due to the involvement of a commercial vehicle in the crash, the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicle Inspectors were contacted to complete an inspection of the vehicle. Blonstein was issued a Vermont Civil Violation Complaint for failing to maintain the lane of travel, with an accident and fatality resulting, according to the press release.

The crash remains under investigation. The New Hampshire Medical Examiner and the Windsor County State Attorney’s Office are also involved with the investigation.

Anyone having information or who witnessed the crash are asked to contact Cpl. Mark Busier, or Sgt. Eric Hudson, at the Royalton Barracks at 802-234-9933.

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