Police: Home Evacuations Monday in Irvington for Investigation; Residents Never in Danger

Though streets were blockaded and homes were evacuated on Field Terrace and Havermeyer Road Monday night, police say residents were never in danger.

"The voluntarily evacuation was purely for evidence preservation and investigation purposes," said Irvington Police Chief Michael Cerone in a statement released Tuesday.

At 5:23 p.m. on Monday March 28, the Irvington Police Department received a call reporting a suspicious vehicle on a wooded section of Osceola Avenue.The caller also reported that there were signs in both the drivers and passengers windows that said “CALL HAZMAT.”

Responding officers confirmed that there was a white male—who appeared unconscious—slumped over in the front seat of a locked, black Jeep Liberty. Officers also detected a strong chemical odor emanating from the vehicle. Officers secured the area and reported observing a plastic container that contained a blue liquid.

"Officers recognized these signs as being consistent with a person who is attempting to commit suicide through the use of chemicals," Cerone said.

The Irvington Volunteer Fire Department, the Irvington Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services and the Westchester County Department of Public Safety were notified and responded. As a precautionary matter nearby residents on Field Terrace and Havermeyer Road were asked to voluntarily evacuate the area. After a short term investigation, the vehicle was opened and a deceased body was identified as being that of John C. Kelly, 24 of Irvington.

The Westchester County Medical Examiners Office was notified and responded to remove the body. Both the unknown blue liquid and the vehicle were removed to a secure facility pending further investigation.

Read about the initial incident .