2 Men Involved In Multi-Car Newburgh Crash Charged

NEWBURGH, NY — Two men who were involved in the high-speed chase on the Thruway XXX that caused a four-car crash have been charged by the police. Deonte S. Damon, 24, of Lauderhill, Florida, who was a passenger in the car that was being pursued Aug. 1 was released from St. Luke's Hospital Friday.

He was processed and charged with first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, a felony.

Damon was arraigned in the Town of Newburgh Court and sent to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail or bond.

He is scheduled to reappear in court Aug. 6.

On Sunday, the driver — Willie T. Cuyler, 26, of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida — was released from St. Luke's and charged with first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, felonies, reckless driving, a misdemeanor, and numerous vehicle and traffic violations.

He was arraigned in the Town of Newburgh Court and sent to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond. He is also scheduled to reappear in court Aug. 6.

The two other passengers in Cuyler's car — Farrell Kam and Darius Henry — remain hospitalized at Westchester Medical Center.

Police said Cuyler and his passengers are believed to be associated with the "Felony Lane Gang," who authorities said are responsible for smash and grab thefts, fraudulent ATM withdrawals and identity thefts throughout the east coast.

When troopers tried stopping Cuyler for a traffic violation, he took police on an 18-mile chase that ended on Route 17K in Newburgh crashing into another car and causing two other cars to crash.

Two people in two of the other cars were injured and taken to the hospital.

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