September 4, 2009

Hit-hit-hit-hit-and-run accident

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A driver who allegedly refused to stop despite a number of crashes in Hebron on Aug. 25 was later arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Jennifer H. Gemmette, 47, of Poultney, Vt., was charged with driving while intoxicated as well as a host of vehicle and traffic violations, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.

A witness phoned police reporting a black Mercedes Benz involved in a hit-and-run accident in Hebron on Washington County Route 30 around 11:30 p.m.

The Mercedes struck a parked vehicle and pushed it into a neighboring yard where both vehicles came to rest with the Mercedes stuck under the parked car, police said. Witnesses reported attempting to stop the driver, later identified as Gemmette, from leaving. However, she was able to free her vehicle and leave the scene, according to police.

Police said Gemmette drove in the direction of a witness coming to investigate the crash as she left the scene of the initial crash, but did not get far before crashing again.

Gemmette drove across Route 30 through a fence and into a tree in the yard of another resident, police said.

Gemmette did not stop after striking the tree, police said, but instead somehow freed the car, striking the guardrail a number of times before fleeing the scene.

Witnesses provided responding police officers with a vehicle description as well as the license plate number and direction of travel.

Police found Gemmette just a short time later at the intersection of Washington County routes 31 and 30 where she had once again lost control of the Mercedes before leaving the roadway. The vehicle struck several signs before continuing across the lawn of a Route 31 residence, coming to stop after striking the corner of the building and another tree, police said.

Police said no injuries were reported.

Gemmette was arrested by Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Sullivan with assistance from Sgt. Nick Spiezio, Deputy Todd Ritchie, Scott Stark and the New York State Police.