ESOPUS, NY — A 63-year-old woman died after her vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with another car on State Route 9W on Jan. 21, 2026.
Troopers from the Highland Barracks responded to the area of 1835 State Route 9W at approximately 6:14 a.m. for a two-vehicle collision.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2009 Smart car was traveling northbound on State Route 9W when, for unknown reasons, it crossed into the southbound lane and struck a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan head-on.
The operator of the Smart car was identified as Jennifer L. Burke, 63, of Port Ewen.
Burke was ejected from the vehicle and succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
The operator of the Volkswagen Tiguan, a 49-year-old man from West Park, was transported to Vassar Brothers Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact the New York State Police Highland Bureau of Criminal Investigation at (845) 344-5300.
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