Two-car crash and vehicle fire disrupt traffic near Exit 10

March 19, 2024 | By Lisa Scagliotti

Two separate incidents near Interstate 89’s Exit 10 in Waterbury disrupted traffic recently and sent one man to the hospital. 

Both incidents happened on Thursday, March 14.

The first was a two-car crash just after 1 p.m. in the northbound lane near the interchange ramps. 

According to Vermont State Police Trooper Benjamin Goodwin’s report, Tammy Jacoby, 60, of Lyndon Center was driving a 2009 Subaru Outback headed north and attempted to merge into the left lane. 

At the same time, 71-year-old Thomas Cook of Barre City was in the left lane driving a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Jacoby entered the passing lane, hitting Cook’s vehicle which veered and struck the guardrail, police said. 

Cook, who was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered serious injuries and was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center by Waterbury Ambulance Service. Jacoby, who was wearing a seatbelt, had minor injuries and was not transported, police noted. 

Cook’s vehicle had extensive front-end damage and Jacoby’s had driver’s side damage, according to the report. 

The weather and roadway were clear at the time of the crash. Police say the investigation into this incident is active. Anyone who may have witnessed it should contact the Berlin Barracks at 802-229-9191. 

In addition to Vermont State Police and Waterbury Ambulance, Waterbury Fire Department responded to this crash. 

It was just a few hours later when Waterbury Fire was called out to the interstate again for a vehicle fire in the southbound lanes just north of Exit 10. 

Fire Chief Gary Dillon said the call came in at 5:52 p.m. A Toyota 4Runner with two people in it had caught fire. “The operator heard a popping sound and pulled over and then noticed a fire,” Dillon said. 

The fire was extinguished quickly and no one was hurt, Dillon said. “The engine compartment and part of the front interior of the car was involved in fire, the car likely will be considered a total loss,” he said.

The driver was 20-year-old Liam Strange of Montpelier. Traffic was diverted to U.S. Route 2 at Exit 11 in Richmond for a short time. State police spokesman Adam Silverman said it was reopened after about 20 minutes once the vehicle was towed.