By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
ROCKINGHAM, Vt. — A Connecticut man and his 4-month-old son were killed in an accident on Interstate-91 on Saturday morning, as slippery roads caused them to rear-end a fuel truck stopped from another accident.
According to a report by Vermont State Police, the driver, 39-year-old Taylor Binnington of North Haven, Connecticut, was pronounced dead at the scene. Four-month-old Parry Lake, the son of Binnington and Evelyn Lake, was airlifted via DHART and later died of injuries sustained in the accident.
On Saturday at 9:46 a.m., troopers responded to a report of a “10+ car crash” on Interstate 91 near mile marker 33.4 northbound in Rockingham. A 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 reportedly rear-ended a 2024 Peterbilt 200 series fuel tanker, which caused severe damage to the front of the Hyundai and killed the driver.
“Investigation into this crash indicates multiple northbound vehicles were involved in minor crashes and slide-offs due to deteriorated road conditions and low visibility in a snow squall,” the report by state police stated. “Vehicle No. 2, a 2024 Peterbilt fuel tanker truck, had stopped due to the crashes ahead. The Hyundai was unable to stop in the slippery conditions and rear-ended the fuel tanker.”
Evelyn Lake and a 3-year-old female were taken to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center by ambulance for non-life threatening injuries.
Westminster Fire and Rescue reported that they were dispatched to the scene along with Rockingham Fire, Bellows Falls Fire and Golden Cross Ambulance for the accident. Engine 3, Rescue 1, Utility 1, Tower 2 and members of their private vehicles responded.
While the report was initially for 10 cars, a “Mass Casualty Incident” was declared as it was found to be far greater. A mass casualty incident is an event where the number of patients can overwhelm the health care personnel available, according to the National Institutes of Health. It often involves multiple injuries and/or fatalities.
The MCI brought in resources from all over that included ambulances from Rescue Inc., Golden Cross, Walpole, NH Ambulance, Chester Ambulance, Springfield Ambulance, Cheshire County, NH Ambulance, and an ambulance from Keene, New Hampshire. They either responded to the incident or back filled the area to continue EMS coverage, the Westminster Fire and Rescue report stated.
There were reports on social media of residents reporting icy conditions, and Chester Police Department posted that there were between 30 and 40 vehicles involved “collisions, roll overs and crashes.” The department also noted that there were between 100 and 150 vehicles stopped on the interstate unable to move.
“This incident scene spanned a section of interstate of approximately 1.3 miles,” Chester Police posted on Facebook. “To say this was an involved incident is an understatement. We were happy to help where we can to serve our community and our neighbors and fellow emergency services surrounding us. Our thoughts are with those involved and injured in this incident today.”
The vehicles involved in the other crashes and slide-offs were removed or able to be driven off the interstate, the Vermont State Police report stated. Interstate 91 North was shut down for about seven hours due to the accident, and part of the southward section was also temporarily closed to clear the way for the helicopter to land.
Vermont State Police was assisted on scene by Westminster Fire Department, Rockingham Fire Department, Golden Cross Ambulance, Rescue Inc, Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Division, Chester Police, AOT, SG Reed towing, and J&M Auto.
The Bellows Falls Fire Department put out a thank you to the first responders they worked with at the accident.
“Everyone involved worked incredibly well together to provide the best service possible to those involved in the accident,” Bellows Falls Fire Department posted on Facebook. “The teamwork was impressive to watch. We’d also like to thank the community members who donated food. It was appreciated by the responders and victims of the accident, some that had to wait several hours to find alternative transportation.”
Westminster Fire and Rescue noted that the community came out in full force to help those involved. The social media report said that two trauma nurses pulled up asking how they could help, and they were directed to respond to their local hospitals for assistance. A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer member arrived and helped with traffic control, and local residents called their fire station and members asking how they could help.
Shaw’s Supermarket reportedly came by with large donations of water, and 802 Builders donated 20 pizzas to make sure the responders were fueled up.
“Donations of hot food and home made dishes arrived for the several members who were frozen from the 32 degree temperatures and high winds,” Westminster Fire and Rescue wrote on Facebook. “This is what small town Vermont is all about! Coming together in a moment of crisis. Thank you all who donated, cooked, came to help, or came to the fire station to lend a hand! And of course, our hearts go out to those impacted in today’s unfortunate incident.”
