Unity Man Charged in Fatal Claremont Crash Misses Court Hearing

Newport — A 24-year-old Unity man charged with hitting and killing a pedestrian in Claremont while under the influence of drugs last September failed to appear for his court arraignment on Wednesday.

The court issued an arrest warrant for Aaron Moeller following a brief discussion in Sullivan Superior Court.

A Grafton County grand jury last month indicted Moeller on four charges: negligent homicide — DUI, reckless manslaughter, reckless conduct and aggravated driving under the influence.

According to the indictment, Moeller was allegedly under the influence of oxycodone and/or clonazepam when he steered a GMC Savana van into the breakdown lane on Charlestown Road on the evening of Sept. 4, 2015, hitting and killing Christa Osgood, of Claremont, and severely injuring Newport resident Kenneth Lavigne.

Moeller’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant Grafton County Attorney Jack Bell due to a conflict of interest in Sullivan County. Bell declined to cite what the conflict is on Wednesday.

White River Junction Man Pleads Not Guilty To Stealing Gun From Car

Lebanon — A 24-year-old White River Junction man pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to stealing a gun from inside a parked vehicle at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital on Tuesday.

Robert Warrington also pleaded not guilty in Lebanon District Court to carrying a loaded handgun without a license. He was held on $10,000 bail, Lebanon Police prosecutor Ben LeDuc said.

Police responded to the hospital on Tuesday afternoon for a report of a man entering somebody else’s unlocked car, according to a Lebanon police news release.

Officers found Warrington on Mascoma Street near Alice Peck Day Drive and when they confronted him, he allegedly pulled a loaded .38 caliber revolver from his waistband and put it on the ground, according to the release.

Lebanon Police Chief Richard Mello said the incident remains under investigation.

One thing police are investigating is whether the owner of the vehicle could face charges. He said gun owners have an obligation to safely store firearms, among other things.

Though the vehicle was unlocked, Mello said, Warrington had to break into a “secured” compartment where the owner stored the gun.

Zoning Board OKs Brickers Parking Variance

Claremont — The possible reopening of Brickers restaurant on Washington Street took a step forward Monday night when the Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a variance for parking.

The ZBA voted to require just 20 spaces for the 100-seat restaurant, not 25 as required under the zoning ordinance. The restaurant closed three years ago.

The board wrestled with the problem of no barriers between the spaces for the restaurant and those of the Claremont Plaza, where there are several stores.

Paul Bauer, an attorney representing the plaza owners, opposed the variance. Bauer said there were no protections to prevent those who use the restaurant from parking in the plaza’s spots.

Before the restaurant closed, there was an agreement between the two owners that allowed Brickers’ patrons to park anywhere on the large lot, but that agreement dissolved when the restaurant closed.

— Staff reports