Driver, Passenger ID'd In Fatal Mountain Road Truck Crash

TOWN OF UNION VALE, NY — Authorities have identified the victims involved in a fatal truck crash in Dutchess County.

The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office says that it is investigating a fatal crash involving a commercial vehicle, in the Town of Union Vale.

An initial investigation found that on Thursday, around 2:55 p.m., a 2007 Freightliner box truck, driven by 32-year-old Ronald Argenis-Rivera, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, with front seat passenger, 38-year-old Mario Ernesto-Hernandez, also from Elizabeth, was traveling west on Wingdale Mountain Road, when Argenis-Rivera lost control going down a steep hill.

The truck then exited the roadway off of the southern shoulder and struck trees.

While Argenis-Rivera was taken to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Ernesto-Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene.

The truck is registered to Hernandez-Torres LLC of Elizabeth, and was loaded with furniture at the time of the crash.

Following the crash, Wingdale Mountain Road, near Clove Valley Road, was closed for around four hours due to the investigation.

The Sheriff's Office says that at this time, the primary factor in the crash appears to be brake failure, and the investigation is continuing by the Detective Bureau and Crash Investigation Unit.

The Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Dutchess County Medical Examiner, the New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, and the Town of Union Vale Fire Department. More information may be released at a later time as it becomes available.