Thruway Crash: Police ID Wrong-Way Driver From NJ, Victim From HV

TUXEDO, NY — New York State police have identified the two men who died in a wrong-way crash on the New York State Thruway early Tuesday morning between Harriman and Sloatsburg.

George Gonzalez, 68, of Dumont, New Jersey was the wrong-way driver traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of I-87.

At 1 a.m. Gonzalez drove his Toyota Rav-4 into the path of a 2022 Nissan Altima being driven by Yehuda Weinstock, 67, of Chester, hitting it head-on. The Toyota burst into flames, police said.

Both drivers were pronounced dead and removed from the scene by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office.

All southbound lanes were blocked for hours during accident reconstruction and traffic was diverted at Exit 16. The Thruway was re-opened at about 7 a.m.

Troopers from SP Tarrytown and SP Newburgh were assisted on the scene by Troop F BCI, Troop F CRU (Collision Reconstruction Unit), Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office, Tuxedo and Sterling Forest Fire Departments, Kiryas Joel Volunteer EMS, Jan’s Med-A-Car Towing, and Thruway Traffic Safety.