BENNINGTON, VT - On Friday, August 24, at approximately 10:55 p.m., Bennington Police Officer Joshua Stemp was working a DUI saturation patrol funded by the Vermont Governor's Highway Safety Program. While working, he was operating stationary radar on Benmont Avenue when he observed a truck driving southbound on Benmont Avenue at a speed greater that the 30 MPH posted speed limit.
Officer Stemp initiated a motor vehicle stop on Lincoln Street in the area of Bennington Village Fire Department. The operator was later identified as Bennington resident, Tyler Galipeau, age 31. As Officer Stemp approached the vehicle, Galipeau accelerated, fleeing the traffic stop scene in his truck. Officer Stemp returned to his police car and went to stop Mr. Galipeau again. Mr. Galipeau failed to stop for Officer Stemp, turning onto River Street without stopping for the posted stop sign. He then drove eastbound on River Street, failing to stop at the intersection of River Street and Depot Street.
Mr. Galipeau continued eastbound on River Street, approaching the intersection of North Street. As Galipeau approached the North Street intersection, he could not make the corner and skidded across North Street and onto the sidewalk in front of The Pharmacy. Galipeau struck a park bench that is on the sidewalk, causing the park bench to hit the side of The Pharmacy's building, damaging both the park bench and The Pharmacy building.
Galipeau continued fleeing, turning east onto Gage Street where he pulled into the parking lot of CL White where he fled the scene on foot. Officer Stemp gave foot pursuit and later apprehended Galipeau with the assistance of Sergeant Joel Howard of the Bennington County Sheriff's Department.
Upon the apprehension of Galipeau, it was learned that he was under the influence of alcohol and was later charged for DUI #3 or more Refusal, Attempting to Elude, Gross Negligent Operation, Leaving the Scene of a property damage crash and Resisting Arrest.
Tyler Galipeau was remanded to the Marble Valley Correctional Center in Rutland, Vermont, in lieu of $10,000 cash bail and will be arraigned on Monday, August 27, at 12:30 pm.
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