NEW CASTLE, NY – A tragic collision on the Taconic State Parkway has left four people dead, following a catastrophic wrong-way crash that unfolded on a Wednesday evening. This heart-wrenching incident occurred when a driver, behind the wheel of a sprinter van, veered across the median into oncoming traffic, resulting in a fiery collision with a Honda sedan.
The crash took place around 5 p.m., according to state police. The van, initially traveling southbound, inexplicably crossed into the northbound lanes near exits 8 and 9. The resulting impact was devastating, causing the van to overturn and burst into flames. Three individuals inside the van were pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the Honda succumbed to injuries after being rushed to the hospital. The van’s driver remains in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center.
The collision led to significant traffic disruptions as authorities worked to investigate and clear the scene. Northbound lanes on the Taconic were closed for several hours, only reopening late in the night around 11:30 p.m. The chaos on the road was described by drivers as a nightmare, with emergency vehicles flooding the area.
Investigators are diligently working to uncover the reasons behind this tragic event. The incident has chilling echoes of a similar tragedy in 2009, where a wrong-way driver on the same parkway claimed eight lives, including those of four children.
As the community grapples with this devastating loss, authorities urge caution and vigilance on the roads. The investigation continues, with officials striving to piece together the circumstances that led to this accident.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, pending notification of their families. The community remains on edge as they await further details from the ongoing investigation.
This latest incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of wrong-way driving, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures on the Taconic. The community hopes for answers that might prevent future tragedies of this nature.