What Led to a Vermont Police Sergeant Being Charged in a Cyclist's Death?

Officer Allegedly Watched YouTube While Driving Before Fatal Collision

A Vermont police sergeant faces felony charges after investigators discovered he was allegedly watching a YouTube video on his cruiser’s tablet moments before fatally striking a cyclist in South Burlington. Kyle Kapitanski was driving above the speed limit when he hit Sean Hayes on November 11, 2024, according to court documents. Body camera footage revealed Kapitanski changed his tablet display from YouTube to a police dispatch screen immediately following the collision, prosecutors claim. The officer was arraigned on March 13 on charges of grossly negligent operation with death resulting, which carries a potential 15-year prison sentence if he’s convicted.

5 Key Points

• Vermont police sergeant Kyle Kapitanski allegedly had a YouTube video playing on his cruiser’s tablet when he fatally struck cyclist Sean Hayes in November 2024.
• Body camera footage shows Kapitanski changed his tablet screen from YouTube to a police dispatch system after the collision, according to investigators.
• Kapitanski reportedly drove 40 mph in a 35 mph zone and didn’t activate his brakes until about 85 feet past the crash.
• The YouTube video playing was titled “Trans woman CONFRONTING Matt Walsh takes UNEXPECTED turn,” according to the police department’s IT team.
• Kapitanski faces a felony charge of grossly negligent operation with death resulting and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

What Do Investigators Claim Happened During the Fatal Collision?

According to court documents reviewed by the Burlington Free Press, Vermont State Police Detective Sgt. Steven Gelder’s investigation revealed that Kyle Kapitanski was driving over the posted speed limit with a YouTube video actively playing on his police cruiser’s tablet moments before striking cyclist Sean Hayes. The incident occurred in the early morning of November 11, 2024, in South Burlington when Hayes was reportedly pushing a bicycle with an attached trailer along the roadside. Investigators determined Kapitanski was traveling approximately 40 mph in a 35 mph zone when the collision occurred. The crash report indicates Kapitanski did not immediately stop his vehicle, with his brakes activated about 85 feet beyond the point of impact. Prosecutors allege Kapitanski’s body-worn camera captured him changing his tablet display from YouTube to Valcour, a computer-aided dispatch system, immediately after the collision in what appears to be an attempt to conceal his YouTube usage.

What Evidence Led to Felony Charges Against Officer Kapitanski?

The Vermont State Police built their case against Kapitanski primarily using footage from his body-worn camera. The charging document states that Kapitanski’s cruiser-mounted tablet displayed “a web browser with a YouTube video pulled up” during the collision. According to the police department’s IT team, the specific video playing was titled “Trans woman CONFRONTING Matt Walsh takes UNEXPECTED turn.” The investigation further alleges that Kapitanski’s hand “can be seen changing the tablet’s display screen, after the collision, from the YouTube website to Valcour,” suggesting an attempt to hide the fact he was watching video content while driving. Following a comprehensive investigation by the Vermont State Police, Kapitanski was issued a felony citation in February and faced arraignment on March 13 for the charge of grossly negligent operation with death resulting, a serious offense that could result in up to 15 years of imprisonment if he is convicted.

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What Circumstances Surrounded the Death of Cyclist Sean Hayes?

Sean Hayes, a Burlington resident, was pushing his bicycle with an attached trailer along the curb of the road in the early morning hours of November 11, 2024, when he was struck from behind by Kapitanski’s police cruiser. Investigators noted that Hayes did not have reflective gear or lights on his bicycle or the attached trailer, potentially making him difficult to see in the early morning. The crash report revealed Hayes died at the scene from blunt force trauma resulting from the impact. Following the fatal collision, Kapitanski was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which ultimately led to the current criminal charges. The case highlights the particularly tragic nature of a fatality allegedly caused by a law enforcement officer who is tasked with ensuring public safety. As the investigation progressed, authorities determined there was sufficient evidence to bring serious charges against Kapitanski despite the victim’s lack of safety equipment.

How Is Officer Kapitanski Responding to the Allegations?

Kapitanski’s attorney, David Sleigh, has indicated they plan to challenge the felony charge against his client. In a statement provided to the Burlington Free Press, Sleigh claimed that the evidence presented by prosecutors does not constitute the charge of grossly negligent operation with death resulting. This suggests the defense may argue that watching a YouTube video while driving, even if proven, does not rise to the level of gross negligence required for the felony charge. Kapitanski remains on administrative leave as a police sergeant as the legal proceedings continue. The case has drawn significant attention in Vermont, particularly given Kapitanski’s position as a law enforcement officer and the serious nature of the allegations. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how distracted driving cases involving law enforcement officers are handled, especially when such distractions allegedly involve non-work-related media consumption while operating official vehicles.