Late Sunday afternoon in the quiet town of Leicester, Vermont, tragedy struck when a two-vehicle head-on collision on U.S. Route 7 left one person dead and three others fighting for their lives. According to the Vermont State Police (VSP), the crash happened near Cram Road at approximately 3:13 p.m., when a southbound car crossed the center line and slammed into a northbound vehicle.
The VSP’s news release identifies the southbound vehicle— a 2007 Pontiac G6— as being driven by 51-year-old Jeremy Nolette of Brandon, Vermont. He was wearing his seatbelt and is listed with serious, life-threatening injuries after being rushed to Rutland Regional Medical Center and later transferred to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. His passenger, 60-year-old Lisa Nolette (also of Brandon), also wearing a seatbelt, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was admitted to Rutland Regional.
The northbound vehicle was a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, driven by 52-year-old Thomas Gero of Monkton, Vermont. His passenger, 50-year-old Gillian Gero, also of Monkton, was wearing her seatbelt but was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Thomas Gero was transported to the University of Vermont Medical Center with serious, life-threatening injuries.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Pontiac swerved over the center line, crossed into the opposite lane and struck the Trailblazer head-on. The impact pushed the Trailblazer over a guardrail, where it came to rest down an embankment and then caught fire. First responders found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames and several occupants unconscious and entrapped.
In a harrowing display of bravery, bystanders rushed into the heat and smoke to rescue occupants from the burning Trailblazer. They managed to pull Thomas and Gillian Gero to safety and began CPR on Gillian before the arrival of emergency responders. Despite those efforts, she did not survive. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Brandon Fire Department, Brandon Rescue, Middlebury Rescue, CDR Towing and MiddState Towing, and the VSP Crash Reconstruction Team was activated to investigate.
Road and weather conditions at the time were reported as dry and partly cloudy, according to troopers at the New Haven Barracks. The crash occurred at 1513 hours (3:13 p.m.). VSP officials are investigating the incident and believe speed may have been a contributing factor. They are urging anyone who witnessed the collision, or has relevant information, to contact the New Haven Barracks at (802) 388-4919.
The community is now mourning the loss of Gillian Gero, and support efforts are being organized for the families of all involved as the full chain of events behind the crash is worked through. As of now the roadway is open after being shut down for investigation and recovery efforts.
