WINHALL — A two vehicle crash on Friday afternoon resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries, according to a press release distributed by Winhall Police & Rescue on Friday night and further information obtained Sunday.
Officers responded to the incident at the intersection of Snowflake Lane and Route 11/30 in Winhall at approximately 2:14 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26. They determined that the two vehicles – a 2020 Subaru Forester and a 2023 Ford Sprinter van – collided head on as the Forester traveled east on 11/30 and the Sprinter traveled west.
The operator of the Subaru Forester was identified by police as Kevin McDonald, 52, of South Londonderry. McDonald was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center via med flight with serious injuries, police said. He died as the result of those injuries on Sunday afternoon, according to a GoFundMe page created on behalf of his wife.
The operator of the Ford Sprinter, identified as Helen Morin, 66, of Escondido, California, was declared deceased at the scene, according to police.
There were five additional occupants in the Sprinter van, one of which – a 4-year-old juvenile – was transported via med flight to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The remaining four occupants of the Ford Sprinter were transferred to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) with non-life-threatening injuries: Ronald Morin, 64, of Escondido, CA; Courtney Morin, 44, of Escondido, CA; Christopher Morin, 40, of Escondido, CA; and a 5-year-old juvenile.
The incident resulted in the closure of the section of Route 11/30 surrounding the crash site for more than three hours. The Winhall Police & Rescue Department was assisted at the scene by Winhall Fire Department, Northshire Rescue, Londonderry Rescue, Stratton Mountain Rescue, Rescue Inc., Manchester Fire Department, Manchester Police Department, Bennington County Sheriff’s Department, Vermont State Police, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, US Forest Service and Paul’s Towing.
The crash is still under investigation, police said. The Winhall Police Department asks anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information relating to the crash to contact them at 802-297-2121.