After almost two months, Stowe Police were finally able to question Jessica Cantwell, the 20-year-old Morristown resident who caused a head-on collision on Route 100 when her Nissan Sentra crossed the center line and smashed into a GMC Acadia driven by Stowe Town Clerk Alison Kaiser.
Cantwell was charged with gross carelessness and negligence and possession of heroin. The former is a felony offense.
According to Lamoille County State’s Attorney Paul Finnerty, it still remains to be seen whether the narcotics charge will be a misdemeanor or a felony; it depends on the amount of heroin possessed, which has not yet been disclosed.
Police said other charges might be forthcoming, pending toxicology reports. Cantwell was also given a $220 traffic ticket for not staying in her lane.
Cantwell has been hospitalized at the University of Vermont Medical Center for much of the past two months, slowing police attempts to question her.
Kaiser, 45, has still not been able to return to work because of injuries she suffered.
“Obviously this accident was a terrifying experience,” Kaiser said in March. “I am in pain and angry about this experience.”
Hospital officials say Cantwell has since been released.
If convicted of the gross carelessness and negligence charge, Cantwell faces up to 15 years behind bars, a fine of $15,000 or both.
A misdemeanor conviction of heroin possession in Vermont carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, a $2,000 fine or both.
Cantwell is scheduled to appear in Lamoille County Superior Court June 22.
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