Former Hudson Valley School Administrator Killed In Cross County Crash

NEWBURGH, NY — A former Hudson Valley school administrator was killed Sunday in a car crash in Yonkers.

Ronel Cook, 51, of Newburgh, was driving a car that veered off the road, striking a wall at an overpass, News 12 reported.

The crash occurred on the eastbound Cross County Parkway at the Seminary Avenue overpass.

Cook’s son, Jayden Cook, 18, of Yonkers was hospitalized with injuries that are serious but not considered to be life-threatening.

Cook was the new superintendent of the Englewood (New Jersey) Public School District.

He started at Englewood at the end of July after serving as superintendent of the Catskill Central School District from July 2017.

Cook went to Catskill from the Poughkeepsie City School District, according to News 10, where he served in various leadership positions.

He began his career in Poughkeepsie as a classroom teacher.

The Catskill Central School District posted a statement on its website about the death of Cook, saying “his presence here touched every aspect of our school community.

“We offer our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and coworkers during this time of great sadness,” the district’s statement said.