On July 19, at approximately 5:05 p.m., Lebanon Police Officer Dan Gaspard was traveling south on Plainfield Road when he observed a black Ford Mustang exit a plaza parking lot recklessly at a high rate of speed, then slide sideways across two lanes of traveling while accelerating rapidly, reported Lebanon Police Chief Richard Mello. According to Mello Gaspard activated his emergency lights and attemped to stop the Ford Mustang, but the vehicle began to flee. The vehicle turned off Plainfield Road momentarily in an attempt to elude the officer, then traveled back onto Plainfield Road before turning onto the I-89 southbound on-ramp. The vehicle spun out and side swiped another vehicle on the on-ramp before fleeing once again, this time with a flat rear tire. The Ford Mustang continued to flee from the officer on the highway until losing control at the I-89 SB rest area, where it crashed through the fencing in front of the State Weigh Station, said authorities. Michael Polito, age 28, of Chelsea VT, was taken into custody outside his vehicle in the lot of the Weigh Station. Polito is charged with Reckless Conduct, a Class B Misdemeanor, Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, Disobeying an Officer and Conduct after an Accident, all Class A Misdemeanors. He is also charged with Reckless Operation, a Violation. His bail was set at $10,000 cash and he was transported to the Grafton County House of Corrections pending arraignment.
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