Names, New Details Released In Fatal I-287 Pileup

HARRISON, NY — New details and the names of two motorists killed in Thursday morning's multi-vehicle crash have been released by the New York State Police.

Just before 8:20 a.m., State Police responded to a multi-vehicle serious injury crash on I-287 eastbound (Cross Westchester Expressway), between exits 10 and 11, in the town of Harrison. A total of 5 vehicles, one of which was a cement mixer, were involved in the crash that claimed the lives of a husband and wife.

David and Chandra Massarotti were pronounced dead at the accident scene by the Westchester County Medical Office. The couple were from Richmondville, NY.

Accident investigators say 62-year-old David Massarotti was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado pick-up truck, with his wife, 60-year-old Chandra Massarotti, who was seated in the front passenger seat. Massarotti was in the right lane, slowing down in traffic.

At the same time, Jorge Pereira, of Ossining, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet 4500 HD dump truck, hauling a cement mixer and traveling eastbound in the right lane when he rear-ended Massarotti's car. The impact reportedly caused a chain reaction which first led to the Chevy Colorado rear-ending a 2014 Honda Accord Crosstour. The Honda was driven by Joseph Digiovanni, 42, of Ridgefield, Connecticut.

The Honda Accord then struck a 2013 Chevrolet Express van, driven by Daniel Moreno, 45, of White Plains. The van struck the fifth and final vehicle, a 2016 Jeep Cherokee, driven by John Gruber, 60, of Cortlandt Manor.

Moreno and Gruber did not report being injured at the scene. Digiovanni was transported to Westchester Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

The dump truck driver, Pereira, was transported to White Plains Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. State Police said the 51-year-old has been issued tickets and has cooperated with the investigation so far.

Eastbound traffic on the expressway was diverted at exit 10 while an accident reconstruction was conducted. All of the lanes were reopened by 2 p.m.

State Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to please contact investigators at 914-742-6400 with any information.