On July 19, 2017 at approximately 5:05PM, Lebanon Police Officer Dan Gaspard was traveling south on Plainfield Road when he observed a black Ford Mustang exit a plaza parking lot recklessly at a high rate of speed, then slide sideways across two lanes of traveling while accelerating rapidly.
Officer Gaspard activated his emergency lights and attempting to stop the Ford Mustang, but the vehicle began to flee. The vehicle turned off Plainfield Road momentarily in an attempt to elude the officer, then traveled back onto Plainfield Road before turning onto the I89 southbound on-ramp. The vehicle spun out and side swiped another vehicle on the on-ramp before fleeing once again, this time with a flat rear tire.
The Ford Mustang continued to flee from the officer on the highway until losing control at the I89 SB rest area, where it crashed through the fencing in front of the State Weigh Station. Michael Polito, age 28, of Chelsea Vermont, was taken into custody outside his vehicle in the lot of the Weigh Station.
Polito is charged with Reckless Conduct, a Class B Misdemeanor, Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, Disobeying an Officer and Conduct after an Accident, all Class A Misdemeanors. He is also charged with Reckless Operation, a Violation. His bail was set at $10,000 cash and he was transported to the Grafton County House of Corrections pending arraignment.
Authorized by: Chief Richard R. Mello Date: 07/22/17