Wrong-way NY Thruway Driver Who Caused August Double Fatal was Drunk

After a month-long investigation, the New York State Police are releasing updated information regarding the double fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred on Interstate 87 in Rockland County at 6:50 a.m. Aug. 12.

The initial investigation at the scene revealed that Richard Christopher, 32 of Suffern, NY was operating his 2002 Dodge Dakota pick-up in a southerly direction in the northbound lanes of traffic when he struck James DeVito, 59, also of Suffern, who was operating his 2003 Honda CRV in the appropriate northerly direction.

The autopsy report completed by the Rockland County Medical Examiner’s office concluded that Christopher’s toxicology report revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.21%. A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 is the legal limit of intoxication in the state of New York. The toxicology report revealed no drugs in Christopher’s blood at the time of the crash.

The official police investigation revealed two independent witnesses observed Christopher driving north in the northbound lanes prior to the accident. The witnesses said they then observed Christopher pull his vehicle over to the right side of the roadway, execute an illegal u-turn in the northbound lanes, then drive his pick-up in a southerly direction in the northbound lanes.

A toxicology report revealed there were no drugs or alcohol in DEVITO’s blood at the time of the crash.

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

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