Young Driver Arraigned
by Ben Hogwood

HYDE PARK - The 16 year old who allegedly drove his Chevrolet S-10
nearly head on into a Copley Woodlands van this past April 16,
containing six people, was charged with grossly negligent operation with
injury resulting on Monday, June 22, in Vermont District Court.
According to court papers, Robert H. Wallace, of Hyde Park, was
travelling behind a school bus at a high rate of speed, in the area near
the Trinity Church on Route 15 in Hyde Park, when the bus began to slow
down. Wallace told police that when he hit the brakes, he skidded out of
control.
An eyewitness, who was behind Wallace at the time of the crash, said
Wallace overtook her in a non-passing zone going approximately 60 miles
per hour. She added that when Wallace was behind the bus, he swerved
from side to side, crossing the line several times. When the bus slowed,
he went into the left lane because he couldn't stop, stated the eyewitness.
Cathryn Wright, the driver of the van, said she saw the S-10 operating
erratically and tried to get as far as she could to the right side of
the road to avoid a collision. Wright, as well as the five passengers,
were all taken to Copley Hospital with injuries.
If found guilty, Wallace could face a $15,000 fine, 15 years in jail or
both.