Motorcycle driver pleads in crash
Toolbox
By Peter Hirschfeld Times Argus Staff - Published: April 8, 2005
BARRE – The cases of two local men charged with grossly negligent operation in the death of a 21-year-old Plainfield woman took different paths Thursday.
Samantha Perreault died last June from injuries she suffered in a motorcycle accident on Route 2 in Moretown. Ten months after the fatal wreck that involved two motorcycles, the drivers of both vehicles were charged for their role in her death.
At Thursday's arraignment, Washington resident Norman Poulin, 40, pleaded no contest to the charge, which carries a maximum of two years in prison. The Attorney General's office agreed to recommend a 12- to 24-month sentence, all but 60 days suspended, in exchange for the plea. Perreault was riding on the back of Poulin's motorcycle when she was killed; a judge will decide whether to accept the attorney general's recommendation at a future sentencing hearing.
Prosecutors have yet to reach a resolution with 26-year-old Justin Lawrence, of Barre, who allegedly precipitated Poulin's accident by losing control of his motorcycle while speeding around a bend on Route 2, according to police. Neither prosecutor Matt Levine nor lawyer Kerry DeWolfe would say whether Lawrence was offered a similar deal.
Poulin, Lawrence and Perreault were traveling east on Route 2 from Waterbury toward Middlesex when the accident occurred the evening of June 13. The three had left the Waterbury Pub, police say, where both Poulin and Lawrence drank three rum and cokes apiece.
Lawrence drove solo in the lead motorcycle while Poulin and Perreault followed behind. After passing several vehicles and reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, according to police and witness statements, Lawrence lost control of his motorcycle while negotiating a bend.
As Lawrence fishtailed and fell off his bike, police say, Poulin, who was following about a car's length behind, attempted to avoid a collision by applying his brakes. He was unable to maintain control of the motorcycle, which fell on its side and skidded off the roadway with its driver and passenger. Perreault was pronounced dead on arrival at Central Vermont Hospital. Lawrence suffered a broken femur, fractured eye socket and fractured ribs. Poulin suffered a concussion and bruises.
Assistant Attorney General Matt Levine said statements from the victim's family and Poulin's "level of remorse" factored in the plea bargain. Poulin could have been charged with grossly negligent operation with death resulting, which carries a 15-year maximum prison term.
"We're not bringing possible felony fatality charges, as per the victim's father's wishes," Levine told Judge Geoffrey Crawford.
Samantha Perreault's father, Joe Perreault, said he was still on good terms with Poulin.
"He's somebody that showed true remorse," Perreault said after Thursday's hearings. "He actually helped me get through this because they were so close."
It remains unclear whether prosecutors offered Lawrence a similar deal. He was released without conditions despite a request by Levine to prohibit Lawrence from possessing or consuming alcohol while the case was pending. Levine said the "state's position is that alcohol was a factor" and that Lawrence could pose a threat to other motorists if he were allowed to drink.
DeWolfe said her client was not a problem drinker and that there no reason to consider him a threat to the general public.
"The fact is this happened 10 months ago," DeWolfe said. "There's no reason to believe my client now presents a risk to the public."
DeWolfe also refuted statements by Perreault's father that Lawrence showed little remorse for the accident.
Outside the courthouse Thursday, Perreault said Lawrence's "attitude toward the tragedy was "s—- happens" and said he continues to harbor ill-will toward the defendant.
"I wanted to kill him," Perreault said.
DeWolfe said Perreault's characterization of her client "couldn't be further from the truth. (Lawrence) was absolutely devastated by this tragedy." DeWolfe also said it was "premature to say whether or not this case can be resolved" without a jury trial.
Levine attributed the unusually lengthy 10-month period between the incident and the arraignment to delays caused by a conflict of interest in the Washington County State's Attorney office.
"I don't know what the conflict was," Levine said. The late Terry Trono was serving as Washington County State's Attorney at the time of the motorcycle accident. "There may have been some associations between Mr. Trono and some of the individuals in his office."
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