Update October 5, 2022 – The New York State Police are releasing the name of the victim of the fatal vehicle versus pedestrian crash on State Route 9 in Clermont on September 23, 2022, as 14-year-old Romelo Cruze.

While the State Police were investigating the fatal crash, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health in Red Hook, NY, reported Romelo Cruze, a resident of their facility, missing.  Two staff members responsible for Cruze, provided business records and written statements to Investigators claiming Cruze was in good condition at their facility at 5:30 a.m.  The crash however, occurred at approximately 4:50 a.m. and almost 4.5 miles north of the facility.

Subsequently, Churchil Orodi, age 39, and Beryl Orech, age 36, both of Poughkeepsie, NY, were arrested on October 4, 2022, for Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the 1^st degree, Falsifying Business Records in the 1^st degree, both class E felonies, and Making a Punishable False Written Statement, a class A misdemeanor.

Both subjects were issued appearance tickets returnable to the town of Red Hook Court on October 26, 2022, at 4:00 p.m.

 

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Original press release from September 23, 2022

Clermont, New York – On September 23, 2022, the New York State Police began investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on State Route 9 near County Route 8 in the town of Clermont.

Initial investigation found that at approximately 4:50 a.m., a northbound 2007 Ford F550 struck a 14-year-old pedestrian who was walking in the roadway.

The 14-year-old was pronounced deceased on scene by responding Northern Dutchess Paramedics.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this crash or the events that led up to the crash is asked to please contact the New York State Police at (845) 677-7300. Please refer to case #11062503.