The Barre driver who crossed the median on Interstate 89 in Richmond last week and caused a crash that killed an oncoming driver was attempting suicide, Vermont State Police said.
Karri Benoir, 23, has been charged with second-degree murder. She drove a Toyota Corolla on July 30 and struck a Honda Civic driven by Brendon Cousino, 30, of Richmond. He died at the scene.
After the initial crash, a truck driven by 57-year-old Shane Libbey of Swanton hit Benoir’s car. Libbey was not injured.
Benoir was scheduled to appear in Chittenden Superior Court Thursday but was still hospitalized with injuries at the University of Vermont Medical Center. The arraignment could be held at the hospital if she is not released, police said.
Cousino was married with three daughters. He was a veteran EMT with the Richmond Rescue squad, according to the Burlington Free Press.
Vermont’s second-degree murder law includes a provision for defendants who act with a“wanton disregard of the likelihood that death or great bodily harm would result.” The charge comes with a 20-year minimum and lifetime maximum sentence.
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I’m not sure this story could get any more tragic. My heart aches for a friend who has lost his best friend and for that victim’s family. And while I feel anger at Ms. Benoir, I also feel compassion for her and just wish she had chosen a different action that day. I hope in the many years ahead, she may be able to somehow offer repentance that just might prevent someone in such a sate of despair from committing such a senseless act. While we shall never forget, hopefully one day, forgiveness may one day, be found.
So sad ! I Just don’t get how one who wants to commit suicide could /would do it in such a way that would most likely kill someone else who is completely innocent in their mission, its just not right.
Yes, this is an unbelievably tragic story and my heart goes out to the Cousino family and everyone affected by this horrific event. That being said, can everyone please remember that just because the Vermont State Police (or the media) say something….It doesn’t make it true. Instead of immediately demonizing Ms. Benoir, let’s wait for the actual facts to come out and not rush to judgement based on a police affidavit.
Timothy Fair, this isn’t just from a police report. It’s been investigated and found to have been intentional. If she wanted to commit suicide, then she should have done it without involving and killing someone else. I feel sorry that she didn’t choose to get help, but not sorry she’s being charged!