Connecticut Cyclist Dies In Route 6 Crash in Southeast

SOUTHEAST, NY — A collision Friday between a car and a bicycle on Route 6 in Southeast killed the cyclist, a Connecticut resident, Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports. According to preliminary reports from the scene, the crash occurred at about 9:05 a.m. in the westbound lanes of the four-lane divided highway, just east of Starr Ridge Road.

The car and bicycle were both headed westbound, with the bicycle travelling along the right-hand shoulder as the car was approaching and overtaking it from behind. The cyclist apparently attempted to make a U-turn, pulling from the shoulder and moving left across the road, into the path of the car, police said. The car struck the bicycle broadside in the left-hand lane of the road.

The crash occurred in front of the offices of Brewster Medical Group. Two doctors from those offices—Dr. Frank Kessler and Dr. Matthew Kessler, who are father and son, respectively—rushed to aid the victim, and commenced CPR just seconds after the crash. A call to 911 sent Sheriff’s deputies, state troopers, paramedics and the Brewster Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Corps to the scene.

Paramedics continued efforts to revive the gravely injured cyclist as he was rushed by ambulance to Danbury Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity is being withheld at this time, pending notification of his next of kin. The driver of the car,whose identity is also being withheld at this time, was not injured.

U.S. Route 6 was closed to traffic in both directions from about 9:15 A.M. until noon, as investigators reconstructed the crash and worked to clear the scene. The investigation to determine the cause of the crash is continuing.

ORIGINAL STORY

BREWSTER, NY — Route 6 in Brewster has been closed both ways between Peach Lake Road (Rte 121) and Starr Ridge Road.

The closure took place at 10:10 a.m. and could last up to 6 hrs due to an accident investigation, transportation officials said.

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