Drunk DHS Employee Crashes BMW Into Buildings in Vermont
USCIS operations worker accused of plowing car through two Main Street buildings, renewing concerns about conduct inside the immigration enforcement apparatus.
WASHINGTON — A 45-year-old federal employee with the Department of Homeland Security crashed his vehicle into two separate buildings in Waitsfield, Vermont in the early morning hours of November 23, leaving significant structural damage and injuring a passenger.
Eric McCarthy, who works as an Operations Support Specialist at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and a Management and Program Analyst at DHS, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
MIGRANT INSIDER is sponsored by
The crash occurred at approximately 12:42 a.m. on Main Street, when McCarthy’s 2016 BMW 335i veered off the roadway and struck the first building, causing the vehicle to become airborne. The car narrowly missed a large elm tree before embedding itself into the side of a second structure, where it remained precariously balanced on the first floor.
The damage was severe enough that rescue personnel had to install specialized rescue struts to prevent the vehicle from collapsing through the floor, which had most of its joists broken by the impact.
McCarthy’s passenger, 47-year-old Katylyn Ruhl of Colchester, was extracted from the vehicle by rescue teams and transported to Central Vermont Medical Center with serious injuries. Ruhl has since been discharged. McCarthy was found by Vermont State Police with visible signs of impairment at the scene.
The incident destroyed property and disrupted the operations of multiple local businesses. David Darr, owner of Darrad Services (a 33-year-old computer services company housed in the first building struck), described the destruction as catastrophic. The crash demolished the company’s business sign and a supporting porch column, while the front stairwell was “ripped to shreds.” Darr noted the extraordinary nature of the collision, saying “This person threaded the needle” in reference to the vehicle’s precise path through multiple buildings.
The second building, which houses Bridge and Main, a retail and massage business owned by Jen Service, as well as a woodworking space operated by Matt Sargent, also sustained significant damage. The vehicle crashed through the work area of Bridge and Main but left the retail shop and massage room intact. Building owner Kellee Mazer is now managing insurance claims and engineering assessments to determine repair costs.
Local business owners and emergency responders emphasized their relief that the crash occurred after business hours. “Just the logic of that happening during the day or when there are people around, it would have been terrible,” Darr said. If the crash had occurred during business hours or when residents were present, the consequences could have been tragic.
McCarthy was released following his arrest and issued a citation to appear in Washington County Superior Court–Criminal Division on January 15, 2026. He has not responded to requests for comment.
MIGRANT INSIDER is sponsored by:
The incident raises broader questions about accountability for federal employees and the safety standards maintained by immigration enforcement agencies. McCarthy’s roles at USCIS and DHS place him within the federal immigration system at a time when questions about conduct and accountability within immigration agencies continue to garner public attention.
Follow our work on Bluesky.
The Trump administration is a sad joke, told by idiots, criminals and malcontents.
Incompetency seems to be off the charts with this regime. The 'cream of the crop' seems to be souring.