Mom Arrested In Crash That Led To Death Of Her 4-Month-Old: Police

NEW PALTZ, NY — A tragedy on a Hudson Valley road has now led to felony charges against the young mother who was behind the wheel at the time.

The New Paltz Police Department says that 26-year-old Jaimie Rivera, of Poughkeepsie, was arrested and charged in regard to an October collision where she had been the driver. Her four-month-old daughter later died from injuries in the crash and a 26-year-old passenger was seriously injured.

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The accident took place on October 28, around 10:12 a.m., on Libertyville Road, resulting in serious physical injuries.

Rivera had been driving a 2007 Saturn north when she passed another vehicle in a no passing zone, according to authorities. After entering back into the northbound lane, the car left the roadway, and struck a tree head on.

Rivera and a 26-year-old male passenger both sustained serious injuries and were taken to Vassar Hospital by the New Paltz Rescue Squad.

The four-month-old baby girl with life-threatening injuries was airlifted to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital, and then to Westchester Medical Center.

After a monthslong investigation, the case was presented to an Ulster County grand jury and resulted in Rivera's indictment for felony second-degree vehicular manslaughter, felony criminally negligent homicide, felony second-degree vehicular assault, misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanor third-degree assault, and misdemeanor driving while ability impared by drugs.

On Friday, New Paltz Police Department detectives located and arrested Rivera in Dutchess County.

New Paltz police were assisted by the Ulster County DA's Officer and the NYSP Forensic Identification Unit.