This is a developing story. Details are preliminary and subject to change as more information becomes available.
At approximately 1:24 PM, Vermont State Police responded to a report of an ongoing assault at 237 Harris Drive in Derby. The suspect allegedly admitted over the phone to driving a truck that struck another person. Police have deployed a drone team and are searching the area, including Long Pond. Officers spotted a single-engine plane overhead and contacted Coventry Airport; the pilot was identified as the father of an airport dispatcher and is assisting with the search. At around 2:00 PM, dispatchers relayed to manned aircraft that drones would operate no higher than 400 feet above the summit to coordinate.
As of 2:28 PM, dispatchers reported that the suspect's phone is either off or has died, based on information from Verizon. The phone company is working to provide a last known location. Multiple units remain on scene trying to make contact. A trooper estimated being 25 minutes out at 2:31 PM.
At approximately 3:18 PM, dispatchers confirmed that the owner of the phone has been located and is safe. They also reported that there is no evidence of a plane crash in the area, clarifying the earlier sighting of a single-engine aircraft.
At 3:20 PM, dispatchers reported that all drone assets were down and that Guard and civilian aircraft had been cleared to join the search. The situation remains active.
At approximately 4:07 PM, dispatchers reported that the subject had been accounted for and all units were returning to their vehicles. The scene has been cleared.
Photo: Brandon Harer (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0). Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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