Crash claims four

By Dan Hust
SOUTH FALLSBURG — Saturday morning turned into a day of tragedy in South Fallsburg, when four locals lost their lives in a horrific car accident.
According to Fallsburg Police Detective Travis Hartman, around 10 a.m. a group of six young people from around the area were headed north on Pleasant Valley Road near the Tarry Brae Golf Course in South Fallsburg.
Though the driver has not been publicly identified by the police – who are continuing their investigation – Hartman did say the circa-1990s four-door Infiniti I30 sedan failed to negotiate a turn, crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic, sideswiped a Dodge Durango, then hit a large maple tree and split in half.
Pronounced dead at the scene were 31-year-old Wilmer Hernandez of South Fallsburg, 31-year-old Jose Rivera of Swan Lake, 24-year-old Erlin Rubio of Woodridge and 19-year-old Jesse Maldonado of South Fallsburg.
Taken by MobileMedic to Catskill Regional Medical Center with serious injuries were 24-year-old Chris Edwards of Liberty and 22-year-old Ever Padilla of South Fallsburg. Hartman said they were transported to Westchester Medical Center, where they were listed Sunday afternoon in critical condition.
Though a cause has yet to be determined, Hartman said police “are leaning towards speed” as a contributing factor. He added that the Infiniti was not designed to handle six occupants.
Also responding to the scene were the Fallsburg PD, the New York State Police, the State Police’s Accident Reconstruction Team, the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, and the fire departments of Hurleyville and Fallsburg.