Shaftsbury Field Station/DUI crash/Town of Bennington

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

NEWS RELEASE

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

CASE#: 26B3005026                   

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: SGT Justin Walker

STATION: Shaftsbury Field Station         

CONTACT#: 802-442-5421

DATE/TIME: 09/10/26 @ 2230 hours

STREET: US RT 7 & Kocher Drive intersection

TOWN: Bennington

LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS:

INTERSTATE MILE MARKER:

WEATHER:     Cool, partly cloudy

ROAD CONDITIONS: dry

VEHICLE #1

OPERATOR: Gerson Montes

AGE: 25    

SEAT BELT? N

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Schenectady, NY

VEHICLE YEAR: 2003

VEHICLE MAKE: Toyota

VEHICLE MODEL: Camry

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Heavy damage to passenger's side front engine compartment/quarter panel/wheel area.

INJURIES: minor

HOSPITAL: (IDENTIFY) SVMC

VEHICLE #2

OPERATOR: Austin Mattison

AGE: 24    

SEAT BELT? Y

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, VT

VEHICLE YEAR: 2018

VEHICLE MAKE: BMW

VEHICLE MODEL: 328D

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Heavy damage to driver's side engine compartment/front quarter panel/wheel

INJURIES: Suspected minor

HOSPITAL: (IDENTIFY) SVMC

VEHICLE #3

OPERATOR: Corey Briggs

AGE: 34

SEAT BELT? Y

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, VT

VEHICLE YEAR: 2022

VEHICLE MAKE: Ford

VEHICLE MODEL: Explorer

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #3: Moderate damage to push bumper and minor damage to front bumper

INJURIES: N/A

HOSPITAL: N/A

SUMMARY OF CRASH:  On 09/10/26 at approximately 2230 hours Vermont State Police were dispatched to assist and investigate a motor vehicle crash involving a Bennington Police cruiser at the intersection of Kocher Drive and US RT 7.

Investigation at the scene determined Vehicle 1, a 2003 Toyota Camry, operated by Gerson Montes, was traveling west on Kocher Drive toward Northside Drive when it was struck by Vehicle 2. Vehicle 2, a 2018 BMX 328D, operated by Austin Mattison, was traveling south on US RT 7 at the time when it struck Vehicle 1.

The impact of Vehicle 2 into Vehicle 1 caused both vehicles to slide and collide with Vehicle 3, a 2022 Ford Explorer (Bennington PD cruiser), that was preparing to turn right onto US RT 7 from Northside Drive. The BPD cruiser was operated by Sgt Corey Briggs.

During investigation, Troopers began to suspect Montes was under the influence of an intoxicating substance. Montes was later processed for Suspicion of Drug related DUI.

Montes, Mattison, and a passenger in Montes' vehicle, Mya Simpson, were transported for medical evaluation and suspected minor injuries. Sgt Briggs did not sustain any injuries.

Vehicles 1 and 2 were removed from the scene by All Service Citgo. Bennington Rural Fire Department responded and ensured scene safety. Bennington Rescue, Hoosick Rescue and Arlington Rescue all responded to the scene and assisted with medical transport and evaluations.

This crash is still under investigation.  

Vermont Civil Violation Complaint ______________ T23 VSA _______

LODGED -  N/A LOCATION: 

BAIL: N/A

MUG SHOT: N

COURT ACTION: Y

COURT: Bennington County Superior Court, Criminal Division

COURT DATE/TIME: 12/14/26   0815 hours    

*Please note:  court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of

the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

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