TOWN OF WASHINGTON – Authorities have identified the man who was
killed in a two-vehicle crash in the Town of Washington Saturday morning
as Edward Allen, 32, of Millbrook.
The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reported that Allen was driving
a 2006 BMW X5 with his two children, Codie Allen, 3, and Tatum Allen,
1, on Route 44 when his car crossed lanes and was struck head-on by a
dump truck full of gravel.
Allen was pronounced dead at the scene and the children, one of whom suffered
life-threatening injuries, were flown to Westchester Medical Center.
The driver of the truck, a 2003 International registered to Bulldog Concrete
of Poughquag, Richard Colesanti, 47, of Hopewell Junction, was not injured.
The impact of the crash resulted in the car being pushed off the road.
The truck overturned in the road and spilled its entire load of gravel.
While driver distraction is believed to be the primary cause of the accident,
police said cell phone use is not believed to be the distraction.
The investigation is continuing.
