Man Accused Of Fleeing Cops Causes Mid-Hud Bridge Crash, Closure

LLOYD, NY — Police released information about what caused the massive traffic tie-up Wednesday on the Mid-Hudson Bridge, forcing motorists to find another way to cross the river.

The New York State Police said, around 7 a.m. Wednesday, a trooper said he observed 2008 Audi A6 with North Carolina plates traveling east at a high rate of speed across the Mid-Hudson Bridge.

The trooper tried to stop the car, but the driver — Tyzhan Catts, 23, of Poughkeepsie — didn't comply.

Police said Catts tried to pass vehicles by driving into oncoming traffic, and in doing so crashed into a 2004 BMW motorcycle, operated by Michael Cehlarik, 62 of Poughkeepsie, a 2009 Honda CRV, driven by Doris Melindez-Martinez, 31, of Poughkeepsie, and a 2015 Volkswagen Golf, driven by Kevin Ruby, 40 of Saugerties.

Catts and his passenger Teri C. Dominguez, 30, from Poughkeepsie, were both taken by ambulance to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Cehlarik and Melendez-Martinez were also taken to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital in the same condition.

Ruby and his passenger were not injured.

Catts was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle, misdemeanors. He was also charged with reckless driving and driving while ability impaired by drugs.

He was released on appearance tickets.

The Mid-Hudson Bridge was closed for several hours.