Forget the picturesque charm of Vermont’s Route 7; for two reckless drivers last Saturday night, it was merely their personal drag strip. On May 2, 2026, Vermont State Police intervened when Ethan Clark, 22, of Bennington, and Sarah Jenkins, 20, of Williamstown, Massachusetts, allegedly turned U.S. Route 7 in Pownal into a high-speed racecourse. They were clocked at a jaw-dropping 95 mph in a posted 50 mph zone near Pownal Center Road at 7:45 PM.
Clark drove a 2023 Subaru WRX, Jenkins a 2024 Honda Civic Type R. Both were cited for excessive speed and negligent operation, and are due in Vermont Superior Court in Bennington on June 10, 2026. VSP impounded both vehicles for 72 hours under Vermont’s aggressive driving statute, a temporary inconvenience but hardly a deterrent for those with more money than sense.
The Public Safety Charade
Lieutenant Mark Davison, commander of the Shaftsbury Barracks, trotted out the usual, predictable line:
“Illegal street racing and excessive speed put not only the drivers at risk but also every other motorist on the road. We are committed to enforcing traffic laws aggressively to prevent tragic outcomes.”
Right. “Aggressively.” Meanwhile, ordinary Vermonters still dodge reckless drivers daily on this critical north-south corridor. Route 7 is a lifeline clogged with commuters, commercial trucks, and families. Speeding is a deadly gamble.
The Vermont Department of Health confirms it’s a contributing factor in a “significant percentage” of fatal crashes. This isn’t breaking news; it’s a stark reality we live with, yet the problem persists.
The Real Cost of Stupidity
So, these two got caught. They face potential fines up to $1,000, points on their licenses, and possible suspension. Their shiny, new performance cars were towed away, a public humiliation.
But let’s be brutally honest: for someone with the disposable income to buy a brand new WRX or Civic Type R, is a few hundred bucks and a three-day tow truly a “tragic outcome”? It’s a parking ticket, a minor inconvenience, a mere slap on the wrist for the privileged.
Vermont’s 72-hour impoundment under 23 V.S.A. § 1097a is meant to be a deterrent, to cause immediate inconvenience. But let’s be clear: it’s a speed bump, not a roadblock, for the next adrenaline junkie itching to test their limits.
This isn’t an isolated incident; VSP deals with drivers doing 30 mph or more over the limit constantly. These “impromptu races” put every person on the road in harm’s way, turning everyday commutes into life-threatening encounters. How many near-misses go unreported, how many heart-stopping moments are endured by innocent drivers, simply because a few individuals believe the rules don’t apply to them?
Red Marker Verdict
Let’s call it what it is: this isn’t just about public safety. It’s about a performative show of force against drivers who have too much car and not nearly enough sense. The state collects its fines, VSP gets to look tough, and two young drivers get a temporary inconvenience.
The real “tragic outcome” is that Vermont’s roads remain a playground for the reckless, a constant source of anxiety for responsible drivers. The financial burden for these drivers is, as we’ve established, a mere parking ticket for the wealthy. The state isn’t getting rich off this, and it certainly isn’t solving the underlying problem of drivers who believe they are above the law.
Until there are real, life-altering consequences – perhaps mandatory community service focused on accident victims, significant vehicle forfeiture, or much longer license suspensions – these incidents will keep happening. How many more lives must be put at risk, how many more “tragic outcomes” must we endure, before Vermont decides its roads are for safe passage, not reckless sport?
Photo: Cpl. Alejandro Pena
Source: Google News
