A Derby man is in custody after a chaotic incident on US-5 late July 4 that involved a vehicle crash, gunfire, and a standoff with police.
Vermont State Police responded to an OnStar crash report near Derby Pond Road around 11:20 p.m. OnStar reported possible injuries and shots fired. Officers found a white 2023 GMC Sierra crashed into a tree in a backyard, with significant front-end and ballistic damage. A passerby also reported seeing a man with a handgun running in traffic.
As troopers approached the vehicle, a shot was fired from behind a tree. The man, later identified as David Gendreau, 46, of Derby, was found hiding there and taken into custody without injury. Police said Gendreau actively resisted as they tried to secure him in a patrol car.
Investigation indicates Gendreau had been driving on his own property, crashed into a tree, fired multiple handgun rounds from the vehicle, struck a neighbor's unoccupied vehicle, and fired a round believed to be across the roadway as officers arrived.
Gendreau was evaluated at North Country Hospital as a precaution and then lodged at Northern State Correctional Facility on $500 bail. He is charged with disorderly conduct, recklessly endangering another person, unlawful mischief, and resisting arrest.
Police were assisted by Newport Police, U.S. Border Patrol, Orleans County Sheriff's Department, Newport Ambulance, and Grenier's Towing. The investigation is ongoing; anyone with information can contact Trooper Anthony Rice at the Derby Barracks, (802) 334-8881.
NEK will be looking into the circumstances of the initial OnStar report and whether any ballistic evidence has been recovered from the scene.
Photo: Laker via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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