ORWELL, Vt. — A quiet stretch of Old Sawmill Road turned into a scene of heartbreak Sunday evening when a single‑vehicle crash left a 28‑year‑old man dead and his friend fighting for life. Around 5:30 p.m., Vermont State Police were called to a wooded section of the rural roadway near Vail Road after someone reported a serious wreck involving a car that had veered off the pavement and slammed into trees.
When first responders arrived, they found the battered vehicle pinned against several trees. Both the driver and the passenger were trapped inside, and firefighters from the Orwell Fire Department worked urgently to free them from the wreckage. The intensity of the crash made it clear this was no minor fender‑bender.
Emergency crews pronounced the passenger, later identified as 28‑year‑old Michael Guess of Brandon, dead at the scene. Guess’s life ended there among the shattered remains of the car, leaving family, friends and neighbors in deep shock. The tragedy rippled through the small community almost instantly.
The driver, 27‑year‑old Aron Therrien, also from Brandon, was rushed by medical helicopter to the University of Vermont Medical Center with life‑threatening injuries. At last update, medical teams were still fighting to stabilize him, and his condition remained critical. Friends described him as someone full of life before the crash, and now his future is uncertain.
Authorities have made it clear that the investigation into what caused the crash is ongoing. Early indications suggest speed and alcohol may have played a role, but troopers caution that nothing has been ruled in or out. Investigators will comb through evidence, interview witnesses and conduct toxicology tests to build a complete picture.
Old Sawmill Road is not a busy highway. But rural roads like this can become dangerous when vehicles travel too fast or drivers lose control. Residents have since been talking about the risk of speeding on back roads and the heartbreak of losing someone so young. Families and neighbors have rallied around Guess’s loved ones, offering support and sympathy in the community.
While the investigation continues, the crash stands as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change on a quiet country road. Friends and family of both men are left grappling with loss and uncertainty, and authorities say updates will be released as more information becomes available.
