Driver Who Fled Police On New Year's Day, Before Crashing Into Another Car, Has Died: NYSP

NEWBURGH, NY — Authorities have identified the man killed following a two-car crash that happened shortly after a police pursuit was called off.

On New Year's Day, at 10:32 p.m., a New York State Police trooper assigned to the Montgomery barracks attempted to pull over a 2012 Volkswagen traveling east on State Route 17K, in the Town of Newburgh.

The driver did not pull over and a chase lasting approximately two minutes ensued. The trooper ended the pursuit before it entered the City of Newburgh.

The Volkswagen, however, continued traveling east on Broadway at an unsafe speed and struck a 2002 Toyota that was making a left-hand turn from a business driveway onto Broadway, according to NYSP.

The driver of the Volkswagen was later identified as 39-year-old Marcus A. Burks.

Burks was taken into custody, but then became unresponsive. Life-saving measures were administered, and he was taken to Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The 19-year-old driver of the Toyota and a 20-year-old passenger, both from Newburgh, were taken to Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The New York State Police were assisted at the scene by the City of Newburgh Police Department. The New York State Attorney General's Office has been notified of the incident, according to state police officials.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the collision is being asked to contact the New York State Police, State Police Montgomery Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 845-344-5300.