Press Release

INCIDENT: Multiple Arrests for Felonies
CASE #: 26-OLC-000390
DEPUTY: Battista
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE: 02/02/2026
LOCATION: Barton Orleans Rd, Lake Region Rd, Route 58, Route 14.
VIOLATIONS: Eluding a Police Officer While Operating in a Grossly Negligent Manner & Excessive Speed, Felony Impeding and Accessory Aiding with a Felony
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: FELONY


ACCUSED: Joseph Wright
AGE: 26
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Morrisville, VT

ACCUSED: Shane R Kuhns
AGE: 20
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Morrisville, VT


SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On 02/02/2026 at 2033 hours, Deputy Battista was traveling on Barton Orleans Road in Barton, VT, when he observed two trucks traveling well above the posted speed limit.

Deputy Battista attempted to catch up to both of the trucks, and they fled heading towards the town of Irasburg VT. Battista located both the trucks in the Village of Irasburg by the Irasburg Commons. Both trucks immediately took off into speeds of 100+ miles per hour traveling towards the town of Albany. Deputy Battista attempted to stop both trucks.

During the attempts to stop the trucks, the second truck impeded the apprehension by brake checking Deputy Battista multiple times and conducting other aggressive driving behavior, causing Deputy Battista to lose sight of the first truck being operated by Shane Kuhns.

The truck Kuhns was operating was stopped in Morrisville by Lamoille County Sheriff’s shortly after Deputy Battista lost sight of it. Kuhns was taken into custody by a Lamoille County Sheriff Deputy for separate charges, one being DUI. Deputy Battista later arrived to Lamoille County Sheriff’s Office and charged Kuhns for multiple charges for Orleans County.
The operator of the second truck was later identified as Joseph Wright who was last seen driving over 100 mph into the village of Craftsbury where the attempts to stop it were discontinued for safety due to his dangerous careless and negligent operation.
Joseph Wright was apprehended by Morristown PD on 02/17/2026 at approximately 1900 hours after a public assist Facebook post was put out in attempts to locate Wright. Wright was transported to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office for processing and was held on $10,000 bail at Northern State Correctional Facility.


COURT ACTION: Joseph Wright
COURT DATE/TIME: 02/18/2026 @ 1230hours
COURT: Vermont Criminal Courthouse, Criminal Division.
LODGED - LOCATION: Northern State Correctional Facility
BAIL: $10,000

COURT ACTION: Shane Kuhns
COURT DATE/TIME: 04/07/2026 @ 0830hours
COURT: Vermont Criminal Courthouse, Criminal Division.
LODGED - LOCATION: N/A
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT: N/A
*Please note court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

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