BERNARDSTON — A Vermont woman believed to be under the influence of drugs is facing six charges after allegedly slamming into a sign at the Interstate 91 southbound on-ramp and continuing to the South Merrifield Road area on New Year’s Eve.

Sara Grace, 43, homeless of Montpelier, appeared in Greenfield District Court on Thursday to plead not guilty to two counts of possession of a Class C drug and single counts of OUI (drugs), leaving the scene of property damage, negligent operation and possession of a Class B drug. She was released on personal recognizance and ordered to report back to court on Feb. 20 for a pretrial conference.

According to the police report, Bernardston Police Officer Jordan Zukowski was driving west on Route 10 at roughly 9:30 p.m. when he noticed a blue Subaru take the southbound exit, take a wide turn, crash into a sign at the southbound on-ramp and continue onto Route 10. Zukowski reportedly attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver continued on until the South Merrifield Road area.

“Sara’s movements were quick and frantic,” Zukowski wrote in his report. “As I attempted to ascertain what was going on, Sara was pointing toward her front passenger window and saying there was someone trying to kill her.”

Zukowski said Grace complied with an order to put the vehicle in park and shut off the engine, but her focus was on the perceived threat. Fearing for his safety, Zukowski reportedly escorted Grace from the vehicle. Bernardston Police Sgt. Thomas Chabot and State Trooper Matthew Trombley arrived and assisted in placing her into custody.

Grace was checked for weapons and a cylindrical item believed to be a crack pipe was found in her pocket, according to the police report. She later admitted to smoking cocaine approximately two hours before the incident and told police she was “having a bad reaction to it.” Zukowski also reported the use of his flashlight did not result in dilation in Grace’s pupils, a sign of drug intoxication.

A search of the vehicle produced an off-white, rock-like substance believed to be cocaine as well as psilocybin mushrooms in a guitar case and 22 clonazepam pills, according to the report.

Out of an abundance of caution, Northfield EMS was called to evaluate Grace, who was medically cleared. She was then transported to the Bernardston Police Station, where she was processed and her bail was set at $1,000, before being taken to the Franklin County Jail and House of Correction.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or
413-930-4120.