UPDATE: Wrongway Driver in Thruway Crash was NYPD

UPDATE 2:31PM: New York State Police released this statement:

At approximately 6:54 AM, NYS Thruway communications received calls of a blue pickup truck traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-87 in the area of exit 15 in the Village of Suffern. Immediately following, Thruway dispatch received calls for a two vehicle accident at mpm 29.5.

Troopers immediately responded and encountered a two vehicle collision at that location with the drivers and sole occupants deceased.

At this time, a preliminary investigation has revealed that a 2002 Dodge Dakota operated by Richard E. Christopher, age 32, of Suffern, NY was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-87 for unknown reasons.

Christopher’s vehicle struck head-on, a 2003 Honda CRV operated by James B. DeVito, age 59, of Airmont, NY. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.

State Police can confirm Richard Christopher was a member of the New York Police Department who was off-duty at the time of the accident.

The investigation into the accident is continuing with the assistance of the New York State Police Collision reconstruction unit, as well the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

State Police were assisted by the Town of Ramapo Police Department, NYS Thruway Traffic Safety & Maintenance, and the Tallman Fire Department.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police at SP Haverstraw at 845-364-0200.

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10:06AM: State Police are currently on the scene of a double fatal accident on the New York State Thruway.

The crash occurred shortly before 7:00 am, near mile marker 30 northbound in the village of Suffern.

Two vehicles were involved in the crash and both drivers are deceased. There were no passengers in either vehicle.

At this time it appears one of the vehicles was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of the Thruway.

The Thruway was closed for at least two hours, but the shoulder has reopened. Traffic is currently moving slowly and drivers should expect delays.