UNION VALE — The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash involving a commercial vehicle that occurred at approximately 2:55 p.m. on May 29 on Wingdale Mountain Road in Union Vale.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, a 2007 Freightliner box truck operated by Ronald Argenis-Rivera, 32, of Elizabeth, with front seat passenger Mario Ernesto-Hernandez, 38, also of Elizabeth, was traveling westbound down a steep hill when the driver lost control.
The truck went off the southern shoulder of the roadway and struck trees.
Argenis-Rivera was transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Ernesto-Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene.
The truck, loaded with furniture at the time of the crash, is registered to Hernandez-Torres LLC of Elizabeth.
Wingdale Mountain Road near Clove Valley Road was closed for about four hours following the incident for the investigation.
Preliminary findings indicate that brake failure appears to be the primary factor in the crash.
The investigation is continuing by the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau and Crash Investigation Unit.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Dutchess County Medical Examiner, the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, and the Town of Union Vale Fire Department.
