SHAFTSBURY, Shaftsbury County, Vt., Sept. 28, 2026 — Two drivers suffered minor injuries Saturday afternoon, September 26, in a crash at the junction of Route 7A and Old Depot Road in Shaftsbury. One of them was taken to a hospital for treatment, according to Vermont State Police.
The crash happened shortly after noon when a driver turning onto Route 7A from Old Depot Road reportedly failed to yield to an oncoming vehicle. The two vehicles collided at the intersection.
Both drivers were treated for minor injuries. One was transported to a hospital as a precaution; the other was treated at the scene, according to the report. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage, troopers said.
The crash remains under investigation. No further details have been released.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
Failure to Yield Crashes and the Wider Traffic Picture
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, passenger vehicles made up 92 percent of registered vehicles and 89 percent of vehicle miles traveled in 2023. That means the overwhelming majority of crashes on rural highways and at intersections, including failure-to-yield collisions such as turns onto through routes, involve ordinary passenger cars and trucks rather than commercial or specialty vehicles.
Failure-to-yield crashes typically occur at intersections where a driver entering or crossing a road misjudges the speed or distance of oncoming traffic. These crashes are common where a minor road meets a state highway, especially in areas with limited sight lines or higher posted speeds on the main route.
Severity in these crashes often depends on speed differential and the angle of impact. A T-bone or angled collision at an intersection can cause more serious injury than a rear-end crash at the same speed, because less of the vehicle’s structure absorbs the impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a car crash?
Move to a safe spot if possible, call 911, and exchange information with the other driver. Get checked by a medical provider even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms may not appear for days.
How do road and weather conditions factor into intersection crashes?
Wet pavement, glare, and poor visibility can make it harder to judge the speed of oncoming traffic, which raises the risk of a failure-to-yield crash, even at low-speed intersections.
Where do most traffic crashes happen?
A large share of crashes occur at or near intersections, where turning and crossing movements create conflict points between vehicles traveling in different directions.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Shaftsbury, VT
If you’re involved in a crash in Shaftsbury, stay at the scene and check on everyone involved before doing anything else. Call state police or local emergency services to report the crash and request medical help if needed.
Take photos of the vehicles and the surrounding area if you’re able, and get contact information from anyone who witnessed what happened. Even if you feel fine, a medical evaluation soon after the crash can catch injuries that aren’t immediately obvious. Keep a copy of the police report for your records once it’s available.
