Man pleads not guilty in deadly Vermont wrong-way crash

Timothy Wooster, 45, faces second-degree murder charge in death of 21-year-old Hailey Westcot

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:45pm

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A 45-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with a deadly wrong-way crash on Interstate 89 in Vermont in December. Police say Timothy Wooster was driving northbound in the southbound lane for about 1.5 miles before hitting Hailey Westcot's vehicle head-on, killing the 21-year-old at the scene.

Why it matters

Wrong-way crashes on highways are a serious public safety issue, often resulting in devastating consequences. This case raises questions about driver impairment, highway safety measures, and the legal process for prosecuting such incidents.

The details

According to court paperwork, Wooster told police he was not feeling well and was tired at the time of the crash, but authorities do not believe he was impaired. Wooster was released on a $50,000 unsecured appearance bond and is expected to appear in court again in about a month.

  • The crash occurred in December 2025.
  • Wooster appeared in court and pleaded not guilty on March 12, 2026.

The players

Timothy Wooster

A 45-year-old man from Jericho, Vermont, who is accused of causing a deadly wrong-way crash on Interstate 89 in December 2025.

Hailey Westcot

A 21-year-old woman who was killed in the head-on collision with Wooster's vehicle.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Timothy Wooster out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious public safety concerns around wrong-way crashes and the complex legal process for prosecuting such incidents, which often involve questions of driver impairment, highway design, and the balance between public safety and individual rights.