Hammer Attack Leads To Car Chase Across Hudson Valley, Ends In Crash

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Early Monday morning, Clarkstown police officers were called to the Tappan Zee Hotel on North Rt. 303 after reports of a woman screaming.

Officers soon discovered a woman who appeared to be the victim of a serious assault. She had serious cuts to her head, according to officers who rendered first aid until EMS arrived. The victim told officers that while she was using the shower, her boyfriend began hitting her in the head with what appeared to be a hammer.

The victim was eventually able to escape the room and get the attention of hotel staff who dialed 911.

The suspect in this case was not on scene, but he was identified by the victim as Todd Humphrey, 46, of Stony Point. An alert was sent out across the region to be on the lookout for Humphrey and his car.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., Humphrey was spotted by New York State Troopers in Putnam County. A long car chase across several jurisdictions followed, according to police.

Humphrey eventually crashed his vehicle on I-84 in Newburgh, where he was taken into custody, according to troopers. Both Humphrey and another driver sustained minor injuries in the collision.

Humphrey is now in the custody of the Clarkstown Police Department awaiting arraignment on charges that include attempted murder and felony assault. Additional criminal charges are expected to be added before arraignment related to the multi-county police chase.

Parts of I-84 near Newburgh were closed for several hours on Monday because of the serious crash that brought the car chase to an end.