NEW PALTZ – A pedestrian was dragged to their death by a UPS tractor-trailer on Thursday in New Paltz. As a result, Route 299 through the village was closed for nearly five hours.
According to the New Paltz Police, on September 10, 2020, at approximately 3:54 pm officers responded to a reported vehicle-pedestrian accident in the area of the Wallkill bridge. Initial responders found the deceased pedestrian in the roadway.
Witnesses reported seeing the pedestrian being dragged down Main Street under the tractor-trailer that continued west on Route 299. The truck was located and stopped on Libertyville Road in the area of 299 in the Town of New Paltz.
Due to the distance in which the subject was dragged, Main Street was closed from North Front Street to Springtown Road until about 9:00 pm so investigators could process the scene and collect evidence.
The preliminary investigation indicates the pedestrian climbed under the trailer without the driver’s knowledge, while the truck was stopped in traffic. When the tractor-trailer began driving westbound the victim became dislodged, caught under the vehicle, and dragged down the street.
The truck driver was interviewed by officers and fully cooperated with the investigation. The investigation shows no fault with the vehicle operator and there are no charges to be filed.
The subject was pronounced deceased at the scene and their information is not being released at this time, pending family notification.
The New Paltz Police Department was assisted by the New York State Police, uniform patrol, BCI and FIU Investigators and Commercial Enforcement Unit, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office uniform patrol and Detectives, the SUNY New Paltz Police Department, the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, the New Paltz Fire Department, the New Paltz Rescue Squad, and the Village of New Paltz DPW.
The investigation is continuing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the New Paltz Police Department Detective Division at 845-255-1357. All information will remain confidential.
