2 Killed, 1 Seriously Injured In Wrong-Way Rte 17 Head-On Collision

CHESTER, NY — A tragic crash in Orange County has left two dead and one person seriously injured.

New York State Police say that a head-on collision took place Wednesday morning, on Route 17 westbound, near exit 126 in the town of Chester.

Police say that the crash involved two vehicles, and an initial investigation found that the crash was caused by a wrong-way driver.

Police say a 2009 Nissan, driven by 25-year-old Sydnie M. Haines, of Blackwood, New Jersey, was traveling east in the westbound lanes of State Route 17.

The Nissan collided head-on with a 2014 Honda Odyssey, resulting in the death of the driver of the Honda, identified as 54-year-old Mordichy Zafir, of Kiamesha Lake. A 17-year-old male passenger of the Honda, also from Kiamesha Lake, was seriously injured and was taken to Garnet Medical Center in Middletown for treatment.

Haines and Zafir were both pronounced dead at the scene.

The Village of Chester Police Department posted on social media early Wednesday that all Route 17 westbound lanes were closed, due to the accident, at the 126 westbound exit into the village. All traffic was diverted off the ramp and back onto Route 17 using Summerville Way. The lanes have since been opened.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is being urged to contact the State Police Monroe Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 845-344-5300.