MONKTON VERMONT, A serious car accident in Monkton, Vermont, left members of the Mt. Anthony Union High School wrestling team and their coach injured, sending shockwaves through the local school community and beyond. The crash occurred on Saturday, January 17, 2026, underscoring how quickly winter road conditions can become dangerous even when the weather appears clear.
According to Vermont State Police from the New Haven Barracks, troopers were dispatched around 5:35 p.m. to Bristol Road near Hardscrabble Road after receiving reports of a collision involving injuries. Authorities said visibility was good at the time of the crash, but the roadway was covered with snow and slush, creating hazardous driving conditions.
Investigators identified the driver of the first vehicle as 35-year-old Chao Xu of McLean, Virginia. Police said Xu was traveling northbound in a 2025 GMC Yukon XL when he lost control of the vehicle due to the slick road surface. The SUV crossed the center line into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a 2017 Toyota Tacoma.
The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was identified as 53-year-old Christopher Glaski of Bennington, Vermont. Inside the truck with him were three teenage passengers, later confirmed to be student-athletes from the Mt. Anthony Union High School wrestling team.
Authorities reported that all occupants in both vehicles were wearing seat belts and that airbags deployed in both vehicles. Police also noted that both vehicles were traveling at moderate speeds at the time of the impact.
The crash resulted in injuries to everyone involved. State police said the driver and passengers in the GMC Yukon, including Chao Xu, sustained suspected minor injuries. In the Toyota Tacoma, Christopher Glaski and one passenger suffered moderate injuries, while two teenage passengers sustained serious injuries.
All injured individuals were transported to the University of Vermont Medical Center for treatment. Emergency response at the scene included assistance from Middlebury, Bristol, and Monkton fire and EMS crews, whose coordinated efforts ensured immediate medical care.
The teenagers involved in the crash are members of the Mt. Anthony Union High School wrestling team, and Glaski was identified as a coach associated with the team. The incident has deeply affected the school and surrounding community.
In a statement released by the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union and Mt. Anthony Union High School, officials acknowledged the accident and asked for patience and compassion, stating that several student-athletes and a coach were transported to a nearby medical center and requesting that the Mt. Anthony Patriots community keep those involved in their thoughts.
Out of respect for those injured and as the community rallies around them, the school canceled its coed wrestling match scheduled for January 19, 2026.
As authorities continue to investigate the crash, the focus remains on healing and recovery, particularly for the student-athletes who sustained serious injuries. Families, teammates, classmates, and educators continue to express concern and support as they await further updates.
