Addison County, VT – As families across Vermont travel and gather for Christmas Eve on Wednesday, the Addison County Sheriff’s Office is honoring the life of a teenager killed by an impaired driver while stepping up enforcement efforts to prevent similar tragedies.
According to the Addison County Sheriff’s Office, deputies conducted a DUI Honor Patrol on Wednesday, December 24, dedicated to the memory of Scott Anthony Russell, who died in a 2003 crash caused by an impaired driver. Russell was just 15 years old.
Sheriff’s officials said the holiday patrol is meant to both remember lives lost and remove dangerous drivers from Vermont roads during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Russell was described as a kind and intelligent high school student who loved video gaming and computer science. On the night of December 9, 2003, he was riding in the passenger seat while his mother drove him to a friend’s house in Colchester.
According to authorities, their vehicle was struck head-on on Route 127 in Colchester when an impaired driver crossed the center line. Investigators said the driver who caused the crash was 17 years old and had a blood alcohol concentration several times over the legal limit.
The sheriff’s office said the DUI Honor Patrol serves as a reminder of the lasting impact impaired driving has on families and communities statewide.
“By taking impaired drivers off the road, we hope to ensure everyone makes it home safely this holiday season,” the agency said in a statement.
Law enforcement agencies across Vermont typically increase patrols during holidays due to higher risks associated with impaired driving. Officials continue to urge drivers to plan ahead, use designated drivers, and never get behind the wheel while impaired.
Anyone who observes suspected impaired driving is encouraged to contact local law enforcement immediately.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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