24-Year-Old's Attempt To Pass Rebbe's Cadillac Kills 1, Injures 5

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Charges are pending over a three-car crash on Route 6 Monday involving the Skverer Rebbe, in which one person died and five were injured, New York State police said.

Troopers were called at 8:23 p.m. to a report of a collision with entrapment and serious injuries.

According to their initial assessment, Spring Valley resident Chaim Gordon was driving east on Route 6 in a Ford Explorer and attempted to pass a Cadillac in front of him. He crossed over the double yellow line, striking an oncoming Nissan X-Terra head-on.

The Ford Explorer then crossed back over, striking the Cadillac the 24-year-old was attempting to pass, police said.

The occupants of the Cadillac, including Rabbi David Twersky, the Skvere Rebbe, were not injured, police said. Twersky, 81, the leader of Skverer Hasidim worldwide, was returning to New Square from a Satmar wedding in Kiryas Joel, Rockland Daily reported.

The operator of the Nissan was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chaim Gordon was transported to Nyack Hospital for minor injuries. Four of his passengers were injured: Yakov Gordon, 22 and Mordchi Fromowitz, 18, were transported to Nyack Montefiore Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries; and Levi Szwerin, 22, and Duvid Grunwald, 20, were transported to Westchester Medical Center for treatment and later released.

State Police were assisted by the Town of Woodbury Police Department.