Police investigate crashed, abandoned vehicle

DORSET -- State police said they are in the midst of investigating what they believe to be a single-vehicle crash on Dorset West Road Monday where the driver abandoned the vehicle.

Police said a passerby reported seeing the damaged vehicle on the roadside, near Church Street, with its four-way flashers on, but no driver in sight. The call came in at 2:26 a.m., police said, adding that it appears excessive speed caused the vehicle to go out of control, strike a tree, then bounce back into the road. Police said they have identified a suspected driver, but are still investigating.

Burglary of Arlington restaurant reported

ARLINGTON -- State Police report that between 9:30 p.m. on Thursday and 6:30 a.m. on Friday someone entered Chauncey's Family Restaurant, on Route 7A and took an undisclosed amount of money.

Police responded to a call from the restaurant reporting the burglary about 7:25 a.m. on Friday.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Trooper Jamie Wright of the Vermont State Police at 802-442-5421. Information can also be submitted anonymously online at www.vtips.info or text "CRIMES" (274637) to Keyword: VTIPS."

Woman taken to hospital after horse trailer crash

DORSET -- State police said a Virginia woman was taken to a Rutland hospital with back and neck pain after she pulled out in front of a truck pulling a loaded horse trailer on Route 7 Monday.

According to Trooper Justin Walker, of the Vermont State Police, at 12:26 p.m. Dana Payne, 65, of Alexandria, Va., pulled out of the parking lot of the East Dorset General Store while driving a 2011 Daimler SmartCar. This put her in the path of Matthew Brayman, 45, of Woodstock, Conn., who was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado Dual Wheel pickup towing a horse trailer with five horses, and the two collided.

Payne was taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center with chest and neck pain. Brayman was not injured. Both vehicles were totaled because of heavy front-end damage. Police did not say how the horses fared.

The Dorset Fire Department Manchester Rescue Squad both responded to the scene.

Police issue paperwork at drinking paty

POWNAL -- State police said they cited one juvenile and gave three others diversion paperwork after they responded to a reported underage drinking party on Hidden Valley Road Monday.

Trooper Lewis Hatch, of the Vermont State Police, said police went to the home at 11 p.m. He said police are still investigating how the group obtained the alcohol.