RANDOLPH — A 42-year-old Randolph woman died in a single-vehicle accident on I-89 northbound in Williamstown on Wednesday afternoon, according to Vermont State Police. 

Beverly Emerson was riding in the front seat of a 1995 Subaru Legacy when the vehicle, driven by 38-year-old Kristopher Steponik, of Randolph, landed in a ditch on the right side of the highway at about 3:40 p.m., according to a Wednesday evening news release from VSP. 

First responders determined that Emerson, who was not wearing a seat belt, was deceased on scene. Steponik, who also wasn’t wearing a seat belt, and a 15-year-old passenger riding in the backseat, who was wearing a seat belt, were transported to Central Vermont Medical Center with “non-life threatening” injuries. The vehicle was totaled.

Emerson was the daughter of Gordon Dezotell, of Newport, Vt., and Patricia Hodgdon, of Randolph and grew up in Randolph, said her husband, Howard Emerson.

Beverly Emerson worked as a depot manager for Casella Waste Systems at various locations around the state, most recently in Montpelier, said her husband, from whom she was separated at the time of her death.

“She worked six, seven days a week and would talk with anyone,” Howard Emerson said on Thursday. “She didn’t deserve to die this way.”

Steponik, originally from New York State, was in a relationship and living with Beverly Emerson at her residence on Route 12 in Randolph at the time of her death, Howard Emerson said.

Howard Emerson said the 15-year-old minor in the vehicle was one Beverly Emerson’s daughters. He said he did not know the daughter’s condition.

In addition to VSP, Barre Town and Barre City Rescue, and the Williamstown and Berlin fire departments responded to the scene of the accident.

The cause of the crash is under investigation and those with information are encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police Berlin Barracks at 802-229-9191.

John Lippman can be reached at jlippman@vnews.com.