School Bus-Motorcycle Accident Sends 1 To Hospital

ESOPUS, NY — Deputies from the Ulster County Sheriff's Office are investigating a personal injury motor vehicle accident early Thursday morning on Route 9W in the Town of Esopus. Around 7 a.m., deputies responded to the area of Route 9W and Cross Street in Ulster Park for a serious personal injury auto accident involving a school bus and a motorcycle.

Upon arrival deputies found Corey Thomas, 26, of Kingston, with serious injuries. He was flown by helicopter to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for treatment.

The sheriff's office said an investigation determined John Chichester, 70, of Port Ewen, was operating a 2017 school bus and failed to properly yield the right of way while entering Route 9W from Cross Street, when he struck Thomas' 2001 Honda motorcycle.

Ten Bailey Middle School students were riding the bus at the time of the crash, however no injuries to any students were reported. They were evaluated on scene by EMS, authorities said.

Chichester was issued a traffic ticket for failing to yield the right of way at an intersection.

Thomas was found to not be licensed to operate a motorcycle and was also found to have been riding it without insurance and without it being registered. He was issued traffic tickets for that and also charged with the violation of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Deputies were assisted on scene by the New York State Police and Mobile Life Support Services, as well as the Town of Esopus and Port Ewen fire departments.

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