Middlesex, VT (May 18, 2026) – A wrong-way crash involving multiple vehicles caused traffic delays along Interstate 89 in Middlesex on Sunday afternoon, May 17. The accident happened around 1:15 p.m. near mile marker 54.
Police said Judith Woodbeck, 79, of Williamstown, was driving north in the southbound lanes of Interstate 89 near Berlin when she struck a vehicle traveling in the passing lane. After the initial collision, her vehicle entered the median and came to a stop in the northbound lanes.
Two additional vehicles were damaged as Woodbeck’s car spun out during the crash. Those vehicles were able to leave the scene, while Woodbeck’s vehicle and the struck car were towed away. Woodbeck suffered minor injuries in the accident. The incident remains under review by authorities.
We are thinking of those injured as they receive medical care and fully recover.
What Is Often Reviewed After a Wrong-Way Crash on an Interstate?
Wrong-way crashes on highways can create dangerous conditions because vehicles are often traveling at high speeds in opposite directions. After these incidents, investigators commonly review where the driver entered the roadway and whether signs, ramps, or lane markings may have contributed to confusion.
Vehicle damage and roadway evidence can help show how the collision unfolded. Traffic cameras, witness statements, and the final resting positions of the vehicles are also frequently examined. In multi-vehicle crashes, investigators may review how secondary impacts occurred and how traffic conditions affected nearby drivers.
Medical information may later help explain the extent of injuries involved in the crash. Lane closures and traffic backups are also common during interstate accidents as crews work to remove damaged vehicles and clear debris from the roadway.
