State Police Share Details of Lengthy Investigation into Fatal Motorcycle Crash

The New York State Police announce the arrest of Clifford Perkins, age 25, of New City, in connection with the fatal motor vehicle accident that claimed the life of Scott D. Phillips, 45, of West New York, New Jersey, in May of 2014.

On April 16, the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from the Hawthorne barracks arrested Perkins following a Westchester County grand jury indictment.

• RELATED: New City Man Indicted 11 Months after Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Westchester

The arrest comes months after a detailed investigation conducted by the State Police.

Here’s what happened: On May 25, 2014, while Perkins was operating a 2002 Yamaha motorcycle southbound on the Sprain Brook Parkway at a high rate of speed, he struck the rear of a 2001 Mazda, operated by Edward T. Murray, Jr. of Mamaroneck, who was also traveling south.

As a result of this collision, Murray lost control of the Mazda, struck the left guide rail and rebounded.

Scott Phillips, who was also traveling southbound while operating a 2013 BMW motorcycle, collided with the Mazda.

Both Perkins and Phillips were ejected from their motorcycles. Both bikes burst into flame.

After emergency responders arrived at the scene Phillips was pronounced dead.

Perkins was transported to Westchester Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Murray was transported to Westchester Medical Center with minor injuries and released several hours later.

The indictment charges Perkins with the following:

• Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class “E” Felony
• Reckless Endangerment 2nd, a Class “A” Misdemeanor,
• Reckless Driving, an unclassified Misdemeanor,
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 2nd, an unclassified Misdemeanor
• Also, two traffic infractions consisting of imprudent speed and unsafe lane change.

Perkins was arraigned in Westchester County Court and subsequently released after posting $20,000 bail. He is scheduled to reappear at the Westchester County Court April 28.

The New York State Police was assisted during the investigation by the West New York Police Department in West New York, NJ, the Town of Greenburgh Police Department, the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.