Two women killed in I-89 crash

October 7, 2003

By David Delcore

TIMES ARGUS STAFF

WATERBURY - Police are investigating the deaths of two Vermont Law School students who were fatally injured by a steel guardrail that punctured the side of the car they were driving south on Interstate 89 early Tuesday morning.

Kimberly Colburn, 26, of South Royalton and Lauren Salb, 25, of Teaneck, N.J., were both pronounced dead at the scene, according to Lt. David Harrington, who said the accident occurred about a mile north of the Waterbury exit on a section of the interstate that is under construction.

Harrington said Colburn was driving a 1995 Honda Civic south on the interstate when she apparently drifted off the right edge of the highway. After leaving the traveled portion of the highway the car traveled another 250 feet before slamming into the end of a section of metal guardrail. Harrington said the guardrail penetrated the passenger-side door of the Honda, protruding well into the car's interior and instantly killing both of its occupants.

"It was a difficult scene," he said. "It was a very tragic accident."

According to Harrington, the car was first spotted shortly before 2:30 a.m. by a passing truck driver who believed it was abandoned and radioed authorities. Waterbury fire and rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene as a precaution and only after their arrival were the bodies of Colburn and Salb discovered still pinned in the vehicle.

Harrington said police believe the accident occurred at approximately 2 a.m., but are interested in talking to anyone who may have information about the two women's whereabouts before Tuesday's early morning accident. Trooper David Robillard is in charge of the investigation and can be reached at 229-9191, Harrington said.

Harrington declined to speculate on what caused the accident, but said the fact that there are no pavement markings or "rumble strips" on the sides of the highway due to the fact it is under construction could have been a factor. He said it is possible Colburn may not have realized that she had drifted off the traveled portion of the highway.

Harrington said both women were students at Vermont Law School in South Royalton.