Fairlee woman arrested for driving under the influence and child abuse after wrong-way incident

FAIRLEE – Vermont State Police arrested a Thetford woman late Sunday night after reports that she was driving on the wrong side of U.S. Route 5 North with five children in the car.

At around 8:48 p.m., authorities received reports of a wrong-way driver in Fairlee.

Citizens managed to stop the vehicle while state police were on the way.

Upon arrival, police identified the driver as 37-year-old Rachael Rich of Thetford.

According to police, Rich showed severe signs of alcohol poisoning.

Rich was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI (second refusal to obey license), gross negligent driving, and five counts of child abuse due to the presence of minors in the vehicle during the incident.

They were recorded at the St. Johnsbury State Police Barracks.

Rachael Rich is scheduled to appear in Orange County Court in Chelsea at 8:30 a.m. on July 31 to answer the charges.