Thanksgiving Day 'Shortcut' Ends With Car Submerged In Creek

MARBLETOWN, NY — An early morning shortcut ended up being anything but.

On Thursday, just before 2:30 a.m., deputies from the Ulster County Sheriff's Office were called to a report of a vehicle submerged in the Esopus Creek, near Fording Place Road, in the Town of Marbletown. Deputies located the driver, who had managed to safely reach the shore. A passenger was also confirmed to have made it to shore, and no additional occupants were in the vehicle.

The vehicle, however, a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee wasn't removed until the following day.

Investigators say the driver was traveling from Route 209 and attempted to take a shortcut by crossing a shallow section of the creek on Fording Place Road to reach Hurley Mountain Road. However, the driver underestimated the water's depth and current, causing the vehicle to be quickly overtaken by the flow.

On Friday, the Ulster County Sheriff's In-Water Rescue Team recovered the car from its watery perch. Sheriff divers secured tow straps and a cable to the submerged vehicle, which was then pulled from the creek by Perry’s Towing.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the driver may face charges for vehicle and traffic violations, as well as potential environmental infractions, according to police.