State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on I-87 in the village of Chestnut Ridge, Rockland County.

01 January 2021
  NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Jennifer Gottstine
Troop T Commander

PRESS RELEASE

Chestnut Ridge, NY – On January 1, 2021, at approximately 2:30 a.m., State Police responded to a serious personal injury crash on I-87 southbound, in the village of Chestnut Ridge, Rockland County.

A preliminary investigation determined that Dante M. Damanti, 41, of Lebanon, PA, located a disabled vehicle in the right southbound lane at mile marker 24.4.  Damanti parked his 2018 Freightliner tractor trailer in the right lane, behind the disabled vehicle, and set up orange hazard triangles while awaiting a tow truck.  While the tow truck was loading the disabled vehicle,  a 2015 Mercedes Benz traveling southbound, struck the rear of the tractor trailer.
The driver of the Mercedes Benz,  Mardochena Louis, 26, of Spring Valley, NY, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Rockland County Medical Examiner.
The passenger of the Mercedes Benz,  Quinten T. Jackson, 35, of Spring Valley, NY, was transported to Westchester Medical Center with multiple injuries and is currently in serious but stable condition.
Damanti, who was seated in the tractor trailer, was not injured.  The tow truck and disabled vehicle were not involved in the collision and no additional injuries were reported.
Troopers were assisted on the scene by Troop F BCI.  The crash remains under investigation at this time.

Author: Harlem Valley News