In the quiet town of Colchester, Vermont, a somber tragedy unfolded under the cover of darkness on Saturday, August 16, 2025, forever altering the lives of those touched by the events on Malletts Bay Avenue. At approximately 8:52 p.m., the Colchester Police Department’s Emergency Dispatch Center received urgent 911 calls reporting a devastating collision near the intersection of Young Street. A pedestrian, later identified as 52-year-old Colchester resident Michael Pickering, had been struck by a vehicle in a moment that would prove fatal.
The scene was one of chaos and heartbreak. Responding officers arrived to find bystanders desperately attempting to aid Pickering, who lay in the northbound lane of Malletts Bay Avenue. Colchester Rescue Squad personnel, alongside members of the Colchester Fire Department, Saint Michael’s College Fire and Rescue, and assisting officers from Winooski, Essex, and Williston Police Departments, worked tirelessly to save him. Despite their valiant efforts, Pickering was pronounced deceased at the scene, leaving a community to grapple with the sudden loss of one of its own.
Investigators revealed that the vehicle involved was driven by a 16-year-old male, whose identity remains protected due to his age. The crash occurred as the young driver traveled north along the avenue, where Pickering, dressed in dark clothing, was walking. Authorities noted that the lack of visibility may have played a role in the tragedy, as the dimly lit road and Pickering’s attire likely made it difficult for the driver to spot him in time. The investigation, still in its early stages, is ongoing, with police meticulously piecing together the events that led to this heartbreaking outcome. Malletts Bay Avenue was temporarily closed to traffic as authorities worked to process the scene, a stark reminder of the fragility of life on a road so familiar to the community.
Michael Pickering, a 52-year-old resident of Colchester, was more than just a name in the reports. He was a neighbor, a friend, perhaps a family member—a man whose presence was part of the fabric of this tight-knit town. His loss has left a void, and the circumstances of his death have sparked reflection on the safety of pedestrians on roads like Malletts Bay Avenue, where lighting and visibility can mean the difference between life and death.
The Colchester Police Department has called on the public for assistance, urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward. They can be reached at 802-264-5555, a number that carries the weight of a community seeking answers and closure. As the investigation continues, authorities have promised to release further details when available, but for now, the focus remains on understanding how this tragedy unfolded and how future incidents might be prevented.
In the wake of this devastating event, Colchester mourns the loss of Michael Pickering, a man whose life was cut short in a fleeting moment on a quiet Vermont road. The community stands together, grappling with grief, while holding onto hope that answers will bring solace and that such a tragedy will not strike again.