Union Vale commercial vehicle fatality under investigation

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reports the investigation into a fatal crash involving a commercial vehicle, which occurred in the Town of Union Vale at approximately 2:55 pm on 5/29/25.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that a 2007 Freightliner box truck operated by Ronald Argenis-Rivera (age 32 of Elizabeth NJ) with front seat passenger Mario Ernesto-Hernandez (age 38 of Elizabeth NJ), was traveling westbound on Wingdale Mountain Road when the operator lost control going down a steep hill. The vehicle then exited the roadway off of the southern shoulder and struck trees. The operator was transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck is registered to Hernandez-Torres LLC of Elizabeth NJ, and was loaded with furniture at the time of the crash.

After the crash Wingdale Mountain Road near Clove Valley Road was closed for approximately four hours due to the investigation. At this time the primary factor in the crash appears to be brake failure, and the investigation is continuing by the Sheriff’s Office’s Detective Bureau and Crash Investigation Unit. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Dutchess County Medical Examiner, New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, and the Town of Union Vale Fire Department and more information may be released at a later time as it becomes available.