Text messaging blamed for serious VT crash
(NECN: Jack Thurston, Colchester, VT) – Eighteen-year-old Emma Vieira appeared in a Burlington, VT, courtroom Thursday to face a charge of gross negligent operation of a motor vehicle with serious injury resulting. It could bring 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. The allegations stem from what police in Colchester, VT say is all too common: distracted driving.
Investigators say Vieira was traveling on River Road in Colchester August 7th when she checked a text message on her cell phone. When Vieira took her eyes off the road, she allegedly plowed into 52-year-old Deborah Drewniak, who was out with her dog. As of Thursday afternoon, Drewniak was comatose, listed in critical condition at Fletcher Allen Health Care. Her chocolate lab, Charlie, was killed.
"This could've been anybody," Chittenden County, Vermont, State's Attorney T.J. Donovan said of the victim. "And it resonates with, I think, people in this community because everybody does what the victim was doing the night in question, which was going out, taking her dog for a walk."
Loved ones call Drewniak a friend to animals who enjoys world travel for her job with a medical software company. She also is a tireless volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club in Burlington, VT.
"Debbie is such a good soul," said Club director Mary Alice MacKenzie. "She has such a good heart."
A man who answered the door at Debbie Drewniak's home said he had no comment; that friends and family of the victim just want privacy right now.
Emma Vieira denied the felony charge against her. Vermont Superior Court Judge Michael Kupersmith ordered Vieira to never drive as the court case moves forward.
"We would say that Emma really felt horrible about the incident," said defense attorney John St. Francis. "Her thoughts and prayers, my thoughts and prayers, and her family's thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Drewniak. We really hope she comes through."
Investigators say the crash is a tragic reminder to put down the cell phone when you pick up your car keys.
"Texting is a crash waiting to happen, and usually it's going to be very severe, if not resulting in death," said Colchester Police Cpl. Francis Gonyaw.
South Burlington Vt - News
8 at a South Burlington, Vt., hospital after a brief illness. He was editor and publisher of the Claremont Daily Eagle -- now the Eagle Times -- from 1961 to 1972. Bennett joined the paper in 1947 as the state editor. Prior to buying the Eagle,
Her coworkers at GE Healthcare in South Burlington, VT, are contributing money to Drewniak's account to help pay her mortgage and other expenses while she is hospitalized. Donations can be made through the NorthCountry Federal Credit Union.
Tonnie Sullivan, 44, of South Burlington pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Vermont Superior Court in Burlington to three counts of forgery and one count of driving with a suspended license. As a subcontractor for Workhorse Creative Inc. of Underhill,
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Vermont Air National Guard officials say training operations will mean more planes and helicopters in the air over the Burlington area starting next week. Between Aug. 23 and Sept. 1, the Air Guard will be conducting close
(: Jack Thurston, Burlington, VT) - For more than 15 years, Sheila Lewonski has kept dogs looking good and behaving well at her dog grooming and obedience business, Pawsitive Touch, in South Burlington, VT. But Pawsitive Touch has plateaued.
Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown ...
≪a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshndavid/6052974519/" title="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown. by shoshndavid, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6052974519_0243ed5993.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshndavid/6052974519/" title="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown. by shoshndavid, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6052974519_0243ed5993_t.jpg" width="100" height="56" alt="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshndavid/6052974519/" title="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown. by shoshndavid, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6052974519_0243ed5993_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshndavid/6052974519/" title="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown. by shoshndavid, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6052974519_0243ed5993_m.jpg" width="240" height="135" alt="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshndavid/6052974519/" title="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown. by shoshndavid, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6052974519_0243ed5993.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshndavid/6052974519/" title="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown. by shoshndavid, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6052974519_0243ed5993_z.jpg" width="640" height="359" alt="Burlington, VT skyline from beach a few miles south of downtown."></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.
1980 Honda CM 400 T: From Sierra Vista, AZ to South Burlington, VT Offer - Place Bid Bids: 0 
New Gig announced in South Burlington, VT at Higher Ground on 9/17/2011 
New Gig announced in South Burlington, VT at Higher Ground on 9/17/2011 
We are 20 miles south of Burlington, VT
RT @: The City of South Burlington has two openings in its Highway Mechanics Shop: #vt South Burlington Vt - Bookshelf
South Burlington, Vermont, South Burlington, Vermont, Commutair, Burlington International Airport, South Burlington High School
City of South Burlington, Vermont, 1991 comprehensive plan..
South Burlington, Vermont
Frommer's Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine
349 S.Willard St. (2 blocks south of Main St.), Burlington, VT 05401. & 800/577- 8712 or 802/651-8710. Fax 802/651-8714. www.willardstreetinn.com. ...About Burlington Vermont
Its district includes the portion of the city and South Burlington, south of Howard Street. Rev. Wm. A. Plamondon is the priest in charge. EPISCOPAL (ST. ...Perfect Information Directory
City of South Burlington
Official site includes local businesses, city departments and area school information.
City of Burlington
Official source for local government, community, and visitor information. ... http://www.ci.burlington.vt.us/photos/ Page Updated 2011-03-24 09:05:59 AM (EST) This ...
South Burlington, Vermont - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
South Burlington is a city in Chittenden County, Vermont, in the ... The area of South Burlington was first granted by New Hampshire as part of Burlington township on June 7, ...
South Burlington
South Burlington, Vermont (VT 05403, 05407) profile ...
South Burlington, Vermont detailed profile ... Homes for sale in South Burlington, Vermont. Submit your own pictures of this city and show them to the World ...