For More Information Contact:
Captain John Watterson
(845) 486-3860
The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reports the investigation into a one-car serious injury auto accident which occurred on Route 55 in the Town of Beekman at approximately 1:10 pm on 4/24/15.
Sheriff’s Deputies located the accident on Route 55 near Palmer Circle in Beekman, and upon arrival observed one vehicle off the roadway and on fire. The Deputies, one of whom was off-duty, acted quickly to remove the unconscious driver/sole occupant while a passer-by put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.
The victim was observed to have life-threatening injuries and once medical personnel arrived on scene they were transported to Mid Hudson Regional Hospital. At the time of this release, the driver has suffered serious injuries but is alive, and no further details will be released about their identity pending family notification.
One of the two involved Deputies was treated and released at the scene for smoke inhalation and the other was uninjured. The passerby who extinguished the fire left the scene before they could be identified.
Preliminary investigation into the accident has determined that the vehicle was traveling westbound on Route 55 near Palmer Circle when the driver lost control, exited the roadway and struck a tree.
Route 55 was closed for approximately 1 ½ hours during the investigation, and the investigation is continuing by the Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Unit. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the State Police and the Town of Beekman Fire Department. More information may be released as it becomes available.