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Fatal Wrong-Way Crash on I-87 in Clarkstown Under Investigation by New York State Police

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CLARKSTOWN, NY — The New York State Police are investigating a fatal wrong-way crash that occurred early Saturday morning on Interstate 87 southbound in the Town of Clarkstown, Rockland County.

According to officials, at approximately 3:01 a.m., troopers from Troop T Zone 1 responded to a multi-vehicle collision near Mile Marker 18.9, just west of Exit 12. Preliminary findings from Troop T Uniform, Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) indicate that a 2024 Subaru WRX, operated by Brian P. Tortora, 33, of New York, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of I-87.

Tortora’s vehicle collided head-on with a 2017 Volvo truck towing a trailer, driven by Roberto A. Rondon-Fleites, 52. Moments later, the Subaru was struck by a 2016 Freightliner, also towing a trailer, operated by Wilber M. Ramos, 27. The Freightliner then struck the Volvo truck before coming to a stop.

Tortora, who was the sole occupant of the Subaru, was pronounced dead at the scene. Rondon-Fleites sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Nyack Hospital. Ramos was not injured. No passengers were involved in any of the vehicles.

The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit processed the crash scene as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities have not released further details at this time. Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact New York State Police.

Police/Fire/EMS

Ramapo Police Halt Test of Advanced License Plate Reader Cameras

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Ramapo Police Chief Daniel Hyman announced that the department will not move forward with a planned test of a new generation of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, citing privacy concerns and the need to balance law enforcement technology with constitutional protections.

Hyman said the technology being considered goes beyond the department’s existing fixed license plate readers. While current cameras primarily capture license plates to help identify wanted or stolen vehicles and assist with criminal investigations, the newer systems include advanced investigative analytics and vehicle-identification capabilities.

“Those capabilities can provide tremendous value to law enforcement, but they also raise legitimate questions about privacy and the appropriate limits of government technology,” Hyman said.

Hyman emphasized that the decision does not affect the traditional fixed LPR cameras currently used by the Ramapo Police Department and does not represent a rejection of license plate reader technology overall.

Instead, he said the department is exercising caution because of the expanded capabilities of the newer systems.

“Our responsibility is to protect both” public safety and constitutional protections, Hyman said.

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Police/Fire/EMS

Two Hospitalized After Crash on Kings Highway in Valley Cottage

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Emergency crews responded to a motor vehicle collision Sunday morning on Kings Highway, where two people were transported to the hospital.

Medic 5, RPS 8, Congers-Valley Cottage Ambulance and the Valley Cottage Fire Department responded to the scene.

Two patients were transported to Montefiore Nyack Hospital in stable condition.

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