Investigators say a passing motorist stopped to help after a rollover crash before accidentally falling down a steep embankment.
WEST NYACK, NY — A man who stopped to help after a rollover crash early Tuesday died after accidentally falling down a steep embankment while trying to rescue an injured driver, according to the Clarkstown Police Department.
Officers responded at approximately 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, to a single-vehicle crash on Palisades Center Drive, opposite Home Depot.
Police said a green Toyota Camry traveling south left the roadway, struck a guardrail, crashed through a fence and overturned onto its driver’s side.
When officers arrived, both occupants had already exited the vehicle. A 32-year-old male passenger told police he had freed himself from the car and that the 18-year-old female driver was no longer inside. He also reported that a passing motorist had stopped to help.
Officers soon heard the driver calling for help from below a retaining wall about 30 to 40 feet beneath the roadway in an area of dense vegetation.
Responding officers, assisted by the West Nyack Fire Department, reached the area below the embankment and rescued the injured driver. They also located an unresponsive adult male.
The man, identified only as a 43-year-old from Maybrook, was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is being withheld pending notification of his family.
According to the preliminary investigation, the man had stopped to assist after witnessing the crash. Investigators believe he approached the edge of the retaining wall after hearing the driver calling for help and accidentally fell down the embankment, suffering fatal injuries.
The 18-year-old driver from Carmel and the passenger were transported to local hospitals for evaluation.
Following the preliminary investigation, police arrested the driver and charged her with driving while intoxicated and additional New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations related to the crash.
She was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court at a later date.
The Clarkstown Police Department’s Accident Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate the incident. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information is asked to contact the department at 845-639-5800.
The charges against the driver are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- A 43-year-old Good Samaritan died after falling down an embankment while trying to help after a rollover crash.
- Police said the crash occurred early Tuesday on Palisades Center Drive in West Nyack.
- The 18-year-old driver was charged with DWI and traffic violations following the investigation.
