Wappinger man charged in fatal crash
The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of Anthony J. Testerman, age 27 of Wappinger, in connection with a fatal crash which occurred on State Route 376 in the Town of Wappinger at approximately 7:30 pm on 2/17/18.
On the above date and time, Deputies responded to Route 376 near Maloney Road for a report of a serious crash with possible entrapment. Upon arrival Anita Duncan, age 71 of Hopewell Junction, was observed to be trapped in her vehicle and was transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital after being extricated. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Subaru operated by Ms. Duncan was southbound on Route 376 when it was struck head-on by a northbound 2013 BMW, which as operated by Mr. Testerman and had failed to keep right. Both vehicles then struck a third vehicle, a 2006 Dodge operated by Joseph Quick (age 25 of Kingston, NY), which was southbound behind Ms. Duncan. Mr. Testerman fled the scene on foot immediately after the crash but was located by a Sheriff’s Office K-9 a short time later. Mr. Quick was uninjured, and Ms. Duncan was pronounced dead at the hospital.
At this time Mr. Testerman has been charged with the following:
At this time Mr. Testerman has been charged with the following:
- Leaving the scene of a fatal accident – Felony
- Circumventing an interlock device – Misd.
- Aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle – Misd.
- Criminal possession of marihuana 5th degree – Misd.
- Refusal to submit to a breath test – Traffic Infraction
After being processed Mr. Testerman was arraigned before the Town of Wappinger Court, after which he was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. The investigation is continuing by members of the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau and Crash Investigation Unit, and further charges are possible at a later time. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the New Hackensack Fire Department and Town of Wappinger Ambulance.
As with any criminal case, the charges described above are merely accusations and Mr. Testerman is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Investigation to continue and more information may be released as it becomes available.
