NJ Man Killed In Crash With Stolen SUV Driven By 14-Year-Old

RHINEBECK, NY — A New Jersey man was killed in a crash Tuesday involving a stolen SUV in the town of Rhinebeck.

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said a two-car crash happened shortly before 6:30 a.m. Tuesday on Route 9 near Closs Drive in Rhinebeck.

A preliminary investigation found that a 2017 Chevrolet van being driven by Jonathan A. Keich, 49, of Ford, New Jersey, was traveling north on Route 9 when it was struck head-on by a southbound 2015 Toyota 4Runner driven by a 14-year-old.

Keich was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff’s office said, and the teen was initially taken to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening. The juvenile, whose name was not released, was then sent to a secure detention facility pending further investigation and possible charges.

Both drivers were the only occupants of their vehicles.

The sheriff’s office said the 4Runner involved in the crash was one of several reported as stolen from the northern Dutchess County/Eastern Connecticut areas during the late-night hours of Monday or early morning hours of Tuesday.

Law enforcement said the investigation into those thefts is continuing. They are, however, thought to be the work of an organized group which has previously operated out of Connecticut.

Because of that, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to always lock their vehicles, never leave valuables or the keys or fobs inside, never leave the vehicle running unattended and never confront the perpetrator yourself, because they should be considered armed and dangerous.

If you see a suspicious person or someone attempting to commit one of these thefts, call 911 immediately and let law enforcement handle the matter, the sheriff’s office said.

The Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office, the New York State Police, the Town of Rhinebeck Fire Department and the Hillside Fire Department assisted the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.

This investigation is continuing, and more information may be released at a later time as it develops.