Westminster, VT — February 3, 2025, Kimberly Barsalou was killed and Christopher Becker was injured in a truck accident at about 8 p.m. on southbound Interstate 91.
Authorities said a 2009 Dodge Journey crashed into the back of a Vermont Agency of Transportation snowplow that had been spreading salt on the wet highway.
Dodge driver Kimberly Barsalou, 53, died at the scene of the crash near mile marker 27, according to authorities. Plow driver Christopher Becker, 62, was hospitalized with minor injuries.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a vehicle crashes into the back of a snowplow, the key question is whether the plow was visible and operating in a way that gave other drivers enough time to react. People may assume the passenger vehicle driver was at fault, but my experience tells me that snowplow crashes often involve issues with lighting, road conditions and speed differentials.
One major factor to consider is whether the snowplow was properly marked and visible. Snowplows operate in low-visibility conditions, often at night and in bad weather. They are required to have flashing lights and reflective markings so other drivers can see them. Investigators should determine whether these safety features were functioning properly at the time of the crash.
Another key issue is the speed difference between the vehicles. Snowplows move much slower than surrounding traffic, which can create a hazard if drivers aren’t expecting them. Was the plow operating at a significantly reduced speed? Were there warning signs or other notifications alerting drivers to slow-moving highway maintenance? If not, that could have played a role in the crash.
It’s also important to look at road conditions at the time. The report mentions that the highway was wet, which suggests that traction may have been reduced. Investigators should determine whether the Dodge driver had enough time and distance to slow down safely or if the wet roads contributed to a loss of control.
At this stage, there isn’t enough information to say exactly what led to this crash. But what is clear is that investigators need to go beyond just labeling this a rear-end collision. They should closely examine snowplow visibility, speed differences, and road conditions. If those factors aren’t considered, they may miss key details that explain why this collision occurred.
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