Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, January 25,  that his Office has completed its investigation into the tragic death of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) who was struck by a vehicle when she was walking across State Route 9W, near the intersection at North Street, in the City of Newburgh on December 16, 2022. The driver of the van which struck the EMT, immediately stopped and cooperated with law enforcement officers, including consenting to have a sample of his blood taken so that it could be analyzed. The results of that analysis showed evidence that the driver had not consumed any alcohol or any legal or illegal drugs, cannabis, or marijuana, which would have affected his ability to drive.

City of Newburgh Police Officers recovered digital recordings of the collision which showed the collision from various angles. Based on those recordings, there is no indication that the driver was driving faster that the speed limit and he was not driving faster than other traffic. The recordings also show that he maintained travelling in his lane prior to the collision. The weather conditions were dark and raining. It appears from the recordings that the pedestrian, who was wearing dark colored clothing and was not walking in a nearby crosswalk, stepped in front of the van as it drove by.

Traffic tickets which were originally issued in the incident have been dismissed.

“This was a tragic accident which claimed the life of someone who had devoted their life to helping others,” said Hoovler. “It is clear from the toxicology report and the digital evidence that no charges should be brought against the driver. No alcohol, illicit drugs, or prescription medication were found in the blood of the driver, and the digital recording shows no traffic infractions. As District Attorney it is my duty not just to prosecute the guilty, but to protect the innocent. The evidence in this case shows that this was a tragic accident not a crime.”