DWI Accident Results in Death of Good Samaritan

On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at approximately 1:20 a.m., the Clarkstown Police Department responded to a reported single-vehicle motor vehicle crash on Palisades Center Drive, opposite Home Depot, in West Nyack.

Upon arrival, officers observed a green Toyota Camry that had left the roadway while traveling south on Palisades Center Drive. The vehicle struck a guardrail, crashed through a fence, and overturned onto its driver’s side.

Both occupants of the vehicle had exited prior to officers’ arrival. The passenger, a 32 year old male, advised officers that he had been able to free himself from the vehicle and that the 18 year old female driver was no longer inside. He also reported that a passing motorist had stopped to render aid but was unsure of his location.

Officers heard the driver calling for help from below a retaining wall approximately 30 to 40 feet beneath the roadway in an area of dense vegetation. Responding officers accessed the area from below the embankment and located the injured driver along with an unresponsive adult male. Officers, along with members of the West Nyack Fire Department, safely extricated the driver from the embankment.

A 43 year old male from Maybrook, NY, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The preliminary investigation indicates that he was a good Samaritan who had stopped to assist after observing the crash. Investigators believe he approached the edge of the retaining wall after hearing the driver calling for help and accidentally fell down the embankment, sustaining fatal injuries. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of his family. The Clarkstown Police Department extends its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

The driver and passenger of the Toyota Camry were treated and transported by Rockland Paramedic Services and Nyack Community Ambulance Corps to local hospitals for evaluation.

Following the preliminary investigation, the driver, an 18 year old female from Carmel, NY, was arrested and charged with the following:

● Driving While Intoxicated (Misdemeanor)

● Additional New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations related to the crash

She was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court at a future date.

The Clarkstown Police Department’s Accident Investigation Unit continues to investigate the incident. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may assist investigators is asked to contact the Clarkstown Police Department at (845) 639-5800.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.