Florida teen pleads not guilty in fatal Fayston crash

July 10, 2025 | By Lisa Loomis | The Valley Reporter  

Nineteen-year-old Noah Kirson’s attorney has asked Vermont state court to transfer his case from adult district court to a youthful offender status, which would move the case to family court’s jurisdiction.

Kirson, of Winter Park, Florida, pleaded not guilty at arraignment on July 7, to a charge stemming from a car crash that killed Tom Studley, 74, of Fayston. Studley died at the scene when he was hit by Kirson’s car shortly after 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, on Stark Mountain View Road off Mansfield Road in Fayston.

Kirson was initially cited to appear in court to answer to the charge of gross negligent operation with death resulting, but that was changed to a misdemeanor charge at arraignment. Washington County State’s Attorney Michelle Donnelly said the change was based on the evidence provided by the state police investigation.

Studley was at his home near Mansfield Road where Kirson was driving his 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser with three other teenage passengers. Police reports indicate that Studley was working on a culvert on his property. Kirson’s family also has a home off Mansfield Road and has long-term ties to the community, according to attorney Lauren Kolitch, who represented Kirson at the arraignment.

She said that Kirson was not charged with impairment, and cellphone use was not a factor. He was given a breathalyzer at the scene, which came back negative, as did screening for drug impairment.

Kirson was posted bail after his arrest on July 5 and remains free on $10,000 bail.

Kolitch said her client and his entire family are “extremely torn up and remorseful about this tragic accident.” She said there were several issues that need to be investigated. “I think both state’s attorney’s office and my office are looking into a number of issues that may have impacted the tragic accident, and that would include, but not be limited to, the state of the road, which had been graded three days prior to the accident.

“Additionally, there had been work performed on the motor vehicle that my client was operating shortly before the accident and it is unclear what those factors may or may not have contributed to the accident,” she said.

Kirson was traveling below the speed limit at the time of the accident—15-20 miles an hour, Kolitch noted. He and the three passengers were uninjured.

This story was published by The Valley Reporter on July 10, 2025.