Home › News › Wrong-Way Driver Hits a Police Cruiser on I-89 in Vermont: What Impaired-Driver Crashes Mean for Your Insurance

Wrong-Way Driver Hits a Police Cruiser on I-89 in Vermont: What Impaired-Driver Crashes Mean for Your Insurance

By AutoInsuranceBundle.pro · Published October 29, 2026

Most drivers never expect to see headlights coming at them on an interstate. When it does happen, the crash is often severe, and the insurance questions that follow can be just as tangled as the wreckage. A recent overnight incident in northern Vermont is a useful, if sobering, case study.

What happened on I-89 near Williston

Shortly after midnight on Saturday, October 10, 2026, the Vermont State Police were alerted to a car heading south in the northbound lanes of Interstate 89 near Exit 14 in South Burlington. Troopers found the vehicle still traveling the wrong way near Exit 12 in Williston. According to the state police account reported by Newport Dispatch, efforts to get the car to stop safely failed, and it collided with a police cruiser.

Both vehicles, a pickup and a police SUV, were declared total losses. The trooper had minor injuries, and a passenger in the wrong-way vehicle, who was reportedly not wearing a seat belt, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver was uninjured and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and several related charges. Charges are allegations until proven in court.

Nobody was killed, which is not always the outcome in wrong-way crashes. The case still raises a set of insurance issues every driver should understand.

Source: Wrong-way driver arrested on DUI charge in Williston, Newport Dispatch (citing the Vermont State Police), October 12, 2026. Basic facts are summarized from that report; this explainer is our own writing.

Why wrong-way and impaired-driver crashes are different

Fault is rarely the hard part here. A driver going the wrong way on a divided highway is almost always going to be found responsible. The hard part is usually money: head-on impacts tend to cause large repair bills, total losses, and injuries, and the responsible driver's policy may not be big enough to cover everyone.

Impairment adds another layer. Impaired driving is a major safety problem nationwide: according to NHTSA, 11,904 people died in drunk-driving crashes in 2024, about one every 44 minutes. For the people who are hit, though, the practical questions are about coverage, not statistics.

If you are ever hit by a wrong-way or impaired driver

1. Call 911 immediately and tell the dispatcher you suspect the other driver is impaired or traveling the wrong way, if you know.
2. Do not confront the other driver. Stay in your vehicle if it is safe, or move well away from traffic.
3. Let police handle the impairment investigation. Their report, including any arrest, will matter to the insurers.
4. Photograph everything you safely can: both vehicles, their positions, lane markings, and road signs.
5. Write down what you saw while it is fresh: the direction of the other car, whether it had headlights on, how fast it seemed to be going.
6. Notify your own insurer quickly, even though the other driver is clearly at fault. You may need your own coverages.
7. See a doctor even if you feel fine. Adrenaline hides injuries, and records made soon after a crash carry weight.

How auto insurance typically responds

The at-fault driver's liability coverage

Vermont uses a traditional at-fault system. The responsible driver's bodily injury and property damage liability coverage pays others who are hurt or whose property is damaged. Vermont's minimum limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries and $10,000 for property damage, according to the Insurance Information Institute's state requirements table. A $10,000 property damage limit does not go far when a newer vehicle is totaled, which is why the next coverages matter.

Collision coverage on your own policy

If your car is damaged or totaled, collision coverage pays for repairs or the vehicle's actual cash value, minus your deductible, without waiting on the other side. Your insurer can then pursue the at-fault driver's insurer. If you owe more on a loan than the car is worth, gap insurance can cover the difference.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM)

Vermont requires UM/UIM coverage on auto policies. If the impaired driver has no insurance, or only state minimums, UM/UIM on your own policy can pay for your injuries and, in many states, some property damage, up to your limits. We explain this in more depth in our guide to being hit by an uninsured driver.

Medical payments coverage

MedPay, where available, helps with medical bills for you and your passengers regardless of fault, and usually pays faster than a liability claim.

Will the policy still pay if the driver was drunk?

Generally, yes. Liability coverage exists to protect injured third parties, so an impaired driver's insurer usually still has to respond to claims from the people who were hurt, although the insurer may later cancel or non-renew that driver's policy. Whether additional damages, sometimes called punitive damages, can be sought or insured varies by state. That is a question for an attorney, not an insurance quote.

Mistakes people make after this kind of crash

• Assuming an arrest settles the claim. The criminal case and the insurance claim run separately and on different timelines.
• Waiting on the other insurer. Your own collision coverage is often the quickest way to get back on the road.
• Riding without a seat belt. In many states, not buckling up can reduce what an injured person recovers, on top of the obvious safety risk.
• Never checking your UM/UIM limits. Many drivers carry the bare minimum without realizing it is the coverage that protects them from someone else's bad decision.

Is your coverage built for the worst-case driver?

You cannot control who else is on the road at midnight. You can control your own liability limits, your UM/UIM limits, your deductible, and whether you carry collision and MedPay. A licensed agent can review those options and compare car insurance quotes with you in one free call at (888) 217-5854.

FAQ

Who pays if a wrong-way driver totals my car?

Usually the wrong-way driver's property damage liability coverage, up to its limit. If that limit is too low or the driver is uninsured, your own collision coverage or, where available, uninsured motorist property damage can help.

Does uninsured motorist coverage apply if the drunk driver has insurance?

If the driver has insurance but not enough to cover your injuries, underinsured motorist coverage may apply after their limits are used up. Rules for how UIM stacks on top of the other policy vary by state.

Will a crash caused by an impaired driver raise my rates?

Insurers generally focus on crashes you caused. Many states limit surcharges for accidents where you were not at fault, but practices differ by insurer, so ask an agent.

Should I talk to a lawyer?

If anyone was seriously hurt, many people consult an attorney, especially when an impaired driver and limited insurance are involved. This article is general information, not legal advice.

Important: This article is general information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice, and coverage rules vary by state, insurer, and policy. AutoInsuranceBundle.pro is a free, independent insurance comparison and referral service. We are not an insurance company, we do not issue policies, and we do not provide insurance advice. Calls to the number on this site are routed to licensed insurance agents or agencies in our partner network, who may receive compensation. Calling is completely voluntary and there is no obligation to buy. Rates, discounts, and availability vary by carrier, state, and individual eligibility; not all carriers, products, or discounts are available in all states. Calls may be recorded for quality and compliance purposes.