Beekman woman struck and killed crossing route 55 after stepping off bus
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Beekman woman struck and killed crossing Route 55 after stepping off bus

BEEKMAN, NY – A 39-year-old Beekman woman was killed Wednesday morning after being struck by a vehicle while crossing State Route 55, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

Sheriff Kirk A. Imperati said deputies responded at approximately 11:45 a.m. on February 5 to the area of Route 55 near Gardner Hollow Road following reports of a car-pedestrian crash. The preliminary investigation determined that Marissa L. Burke, 39, had just exited a Dutchess County LOOP bus and was crossing the westbound lanes of Route 55 when she was hit by a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Burke was transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The driver, the sole occupant of the Jeep, was not injured. Investigators said the bus was not involved in the collision.

Deputies say early findings point to pedestrian error

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the initial investigation indicates that failure to yield on the part of the pedestrian appears to be a contributing factor in the crash. At this time, no charges have been filed.

The investigation is being conducted by the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau and Crash Investigation Unit. Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Beekman Fire Department, and Route 55 was closed for about three hours while investigators processed the scene.

• Marissa L. Burke, 39, fatally struck on Route 55 near Gardner Hollow Road
• Victim had exited a Dutchess County LOOP bus moments before collision
• Investigation ongoing; no charges filed as of Thursday

Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact Captain John Watterson at the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office at 845-486-3860.

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