Driver pleads not guilty to 2nd-degree murder in fatal wrong-way crash

March 13, 2026  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

In this drone shot, reader Eddie Habeck in Richmond captures the view looking north over Interstate 89 and Rt. 2. Southbound highway traffic after the fatal wrong-way crash in December.

The Jericho man accused in the fatal wrong-way crash on Interstate 89 in Bolton in December pleaded not-guilty to second-degree murder and a host of related charges in his first court appearance on Thursday.

Timothy Wooster, 45, was driving the Toyota pickup that caused a multiple-vehicle crash on Dec. 17, resulting in the death of 21-year-old Haley Westcot from Northfield. Westcot  was on her way home from cosmetology school in Williston to Northfield.

The investigation found that Wooster, also on his way home from work in Montpelier, was driving northbound on the interstate when he crossed the median into the southbound lanes and continued traveling north for about a mile and a half. 

Wooster’s vehicle crashed head-on into Westcot’s Kia Sportage. Immediately afterward, a southbound tractor-trailer also crashed into Westcot’s car, which rolled over before coming to a stop. 

Westcott was pronounced dead at the scene. Wooster was hospitalized with injuries from the crash; the truck driver was unhurt. 

The incident, which closed the southbound side of I-89 for about five hours, took place around 5:15 p.m. during busy traffic on the highway. There were many witnesses to the event and accounts from other drivers have led to a list of other criminal charges for Wooster from the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office. 

In addition to second-degree murder, the charges Wooster is facing include gross negligent operation with death resulting, 10 counts of aggravated assault, and 13 counts of reckless endangerment. 

Trooper Shawn Morrow, in an affidavit filed with the court, outlines in detail his investigation at the time of and in the days following the multi-vehicle incident. He includes accounts from numerous other drivers who were southbound on I-89 that night, all describing their encounters with Wooster’s vehicle and the defensive maneuvers they took to avoid collisions. 

One witness, Julie Williams, gave a sworn statement to state police on Dec. 19 explaining how she was driving south in the travel lane when she saw Wooster’s vehicle cross the median and enter the southbound section of the highway. 

Morrow quotes Williams saying: “He started in the fast lane then intentionally crossed into my lane head on to attempt to hit me. He was about 10 ft from my car when I decided to swerve right into the break line to avoid being hit. I believe he was going at a speed of about 80-90 miles/hour. I 100% believe he was trying to kill me. After swerving into the break lane I came to a complete stop and called the police."

Following the crash when he was at UVM Medical Center, Wooster was evaluated by state drug recognition inspectors who determined he did not seem impaired, according to Morrow’s account and their report filed with the court. Wooster told investigators that he was feeling ill and tired on his drive home, and that he had briefly pulled over to the shoulder to take a break when he was still on the northbound side of the highway.  

Morrow’s affidavit does not shed any other light on what caused Wooster to cross the median. His account does conclude that Wooster “showed a wanton disregard of the public's safety” on the night of the crash. 

“Wooster[‘s] actions showed an extreme indifference to the probability that someone would die as a result. By driving at high speeds without hazard lights on against traffic, Wooster ignored the risk that death or great bodily harm was imminent for the general public traveling south on Interstate 89,” Morrow wrote.

Thursday’s hearing in criminal court in Burlington did not include any testimony or discussion of the facts in the case. The arraignment lasted just several minutes for Wooster’s attorney to enter his not-guilty plea. 

Judge Timothy Doherty issued conditions of release, which mainly require Wooster to show up for subsequent court proceedings and to not have any contact with a list of individuals from the case who are connected with the charges. 

Wooster also was required to agree to a $50,000 appearance bond, which would have to be paid if he fails to show up for future court hearings. Judge Doherty scheduled a status conference hearing in the case for May 19.