At 2:20 PM on September 21, 2015 the Burlington Police responded to a two vehicle accident on North Avenue at Route 127. An investigation determined that Michael Bessette (47 years old) of Burlington, Vermont was southbound attempting to take a left hand turn when he failed to yield to oncoming traffic and he struck a northbound vehicle driven by an 86 year old Plattsburgh, NY woman causing extensive damage to both vehicles. Burlington Fire and Rescue was going to another call and came upon the accident and rendered assistance. No injuries were reported.
Bessette failed field sobriety exercise at the scene. He was found with a misdemeanor amount of crack cocaine in his possession and was arrested for DUI (first offense) and Possession of Cocaine. A Burlington Police Drug Recognition Expert evaluated him at headquarters and determined that he was under the influence of narcotics and stimulants.
The penalty for Possession of Cocaine is imprisonment for not more than one year or fined not more than $2,000, or both.
The penalty for Driving Under the Influence, first offense, is a fine of not more than $750 and imprisonment for not more than two years.
Bessette will also be receiving tickets for motor vehicle violations Persons required to register (23 V.S.A. 301), Operating without a license (23 V.S.A. 601), Operating without liability insurance (23 V.S.A. 800a) and Vehicle turning left (23 V.S.A. 1047) for a total of $620.00 in fines and 4 points on his license.
