White River Junction
Joshua Rondeau, formerly of Charlestown, allegedly was driving too fast for the road conditions on June 28, causing him to lose control of his southbound-traveling pickup truck, cross the median and slam into a vehicle driven by 36-year-old Laura McNaughton, of Perkinsville, Vermont State Police Cpl. Mark Harvey said on Monday.
It was pouring rain that morning, Harvey said.
In order to convict Rondeau of the charge, the state would have to prove that Rondeau “breached a duty to exercise ordinary care,” according to state law.
The misdemeanor charges carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in jail, up to $3,000 in fines, or both.
Windsor County State’s Attorney David Cahill said on Monday that he had no information on the case because he hadn’t yet received the file from state police. He anticipated he would receive the necessary documents sometime in August — ahead of Rondeau’s September arraignment.
McNaughton, who worked for the Vermont Department of Health as the district director in White River Junction, died from injuries she sustained in the crash. Her 8-year-old son was traveling with her that morning and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Rondeau and his two juvenile passengers also sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Attempts to reach Rondeau on Monday were unsuccessful; it wasn’t immediately known if he had an attorney. A message left for McNaughton’s husband, Ethan, wasn’t returned.
The crash occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 91 around 7:30 a.m. on June 28.
A crash reconstruction team was brought in, and one question officers focused on was why Rondeau’s pickup truck crossed the median that morning.
In addition to her extensive work in the public health field, McNaughton, a Springfield (Vt.) High School graduate, also sat on the Weathersfield School Board.
At the Vermont Department of Health, McNaughton oversaw several programs, including the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, immunizations, school health, maternal and child health, and substance abuse prevention.
She also was a member of the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley.
Rondeau has at least two driving infractions on his record.
In New Hampshire, in both 2009 and 2010, he was convicted of driving under the influence, according to court records.
Rondeau will answer to the new misdemeanor charge on Sept. 25 in Windsor Superior Court in White River Junction.
Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.