A multi-car crash on the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester Wednesday, May 14 killed four people and left a fifth person in critical condition, state police said.
Read on for what we know now.
Police identify 4 killed, 1 injured in Taconic State Parkway crash
New York State Police have identified those killed, and the person injured, in Wednesday’s crash.
According to a press release, three New Jersey men who were passengers in a Ram ProMaster van — Odenis Balladares Martinez, 20, of Neptune; Harrison Mauricio Reyes Rivera, 34, of Long Branch; and Bryan Aguilar Castillo, 45, of Asbury Park — were pronounced dead at the scene.
The van, driven by Yader A. Reyes, 50, of Long Branch, NJ, collided head on with the 2024 Honda Accord driven by Robert Violante, 45, of Granite Springs, whose car was traveling in the northbound passing lane.
Violante, who was New Jersey’s Bergenfield High School head football coach and a former star Somers High School athlete, was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead, according to police,
Reyes is in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center, police said.
Where did the Taconic State Parkway crash happen?
Wednesday’s fatal crash happened on the Taconic in the town of New Castle, at mile marker 9.2 near exits 8 and 9, according to a press release from New York State police.
What happened during May 14 Taconic State Parkway crash?
A Sprinter van traveling southbound on the Taconic Wednesday afternoon crossed the median and collided with a Honda sedan that was traveling north in the left lane, police said. The van flipped over and burst into flames.
Three of the van’s passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The driver of the Honda died after being taken to a hospital.
The van driver was in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center, police said.
Who were the victims in the Taconic fatal crash?
Police have not yet identified victims in the Taconic State Parkway crash. Four people have died, and one person, whom police said was driving the Sprinter van, was injured and is in critical condition.
On social media, the New Jersey and Lower Hudson Valley sports communities have identified one of the victims as Robert Violante, a coach at Bergenfield High School in Bergen County, NJ.
Devastated for our community, for my assistant coach and his family. A tragedy. Lost an incredible human, an impactful man, and someone who will never be forgotten.
Life is unfair sometimes. Hug the people you love.
Rest easy Coach Rob Violante. pic.twitter.com/4sJSmwIPcJ
According to a report from the The Record/NorthJersey.com, the New Jersey Football Coaches Association put out a statement on Thursday morning on X, formerly known as Twitter: “The NJFCA has waken up to the tragic news of Coach Rob Violante’s sudden passing. He was an outstanding coach, mentor, friend & family man.”
Police are investigating Taconic State Parkway crash
New York State Police are investigating the May 14 crash.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has relevant information is urged to contact the police at 845-677-7300.
Is the Taconic State Parkway still closed near Exit 8?
Traffic was diverted off Exit 8 and the northbound lanes of the Taconic State Parkway remained closed for several hours on Wednesday. State police announced the roadway had reopened at 11:20 p.m.
As of 8:10 a.m. Thursday, traffic appeared to be moving as normal and all lanes were open on the Taconic.
Contributing: lohud’s Michael P. McKinney, Peter Carr, Ashley Fontones and Jonathan Bandler; Darren Cooper of USA TODAY Network’s NorthJersey.com.
(This is a developing story and will update.)
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Taconic State Parkway accident: What we know about May 14 fatal crash in Westchester
Reporting by Staff Reports / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
