PITTSFORD, Vermont — Benjamin Adams, a 21‑year‑old local man known for his warm smile and kind heart, died Tuesday after his sport utility vehicle left the road and plunged into Furnace Brook. Residents in this quiet Rutland County town woke up to shock and grief as news spread about the loss of someone many described as a bright and caring young neighbor.
Adams was first reported missing late Monday night after he was last seen leaving a home in Pittsford around 10:30 p.m. State police and local volunteers searched through the early hours of Tuesday before a community member spotted a submerged SUV in the brook near Route 7 around 11 a.m. The vehicle was later confirmed to belong to Adams.
According to Vermont State Police, Adams was driving north on Route 3 when his SUV veered off the road and ended up in the water. First responders pulled the vehicle from the brook, but Adams was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet released details about what caused the vehicle to leave the road, and the investigation is ongoing. They are asking anyone who may have seen anything to contact the Rutland Barracks.
Friends from Otter Valley Union High School, where Benjamin graduated, spoke softly about how his friendly nature lifted the spirits of those around him. People said he was the kind of person who made small talks feel meaningful and lent a hand without asking for anything in return. His passing has left many in the tight‑knit community struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.
Neighbors say his laugh was a familiar and comforting sound on quiet weekend evenings, and his willingness to help with chores or errands rarely went unnoticed. “He was always someone who cared deeply about his friends and family,” one neighbor said, reflecting a sentiment echoed across town.
As Pittsford tries to make sense of the tragedy, loved ones are sharing memories of Adams’s kindness — the late‑night study sessions, the jokes he cracked to ease stress, and the way he greeted everyone with warmth. His presence, they say, will be missed long after this winter’s chill fades.
During this painful time, Adams’s family has asked for privacy and space to grieve. They’ve also expressed gratitude for the support and prayers from the community. In hushed tones at local gatherings, residents urge one another to be kinder, to check on friends, and to make the most of every moment with those they love — a tribute they say would make Benjamin proud.
Benjamin Adams will be remembered by family and friends as more than a news headline — as a thoughtful young man whose life, though cut short, left a lasting mark on the people who knew him best.
