Walden Man Guilty In Fatal Road Rage Collision

WALKILL, NY — A Walden man, who was accused of causing a collision that resulted in the deaths of three people, was convicted by a jury Monday.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said Anthony Jones, 26, of Walden, was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and third-degree assault.

He faces up to five to 15 years in prison for the manslaughter charge and seven years on the assault charges when he is sentenced Oct. 11.

Jones was sent to the Orange County Jail without bail following the jury’s verdict.

According to prosecutors, around 7 p.m. Aug. 4, 2021, Jones was the sole occupant of a Ford Escape he was driving east on Route 17 in the town of Wallkill between exits 118 and 119.

He became angry at the driver of a van carrying eight people and caused his car to collide with the van.

The collision resulted in the deaths of three people in the van, including the driver, and serious injuries to four others. Another passenger in the van was injured, but not as seriously.

Jones was treated for complaints of pain, taken to the hospital and released.

He was involved in another road rage incident in the town of Crawford subsequent to the August 2021 crash. The details of that crash were presented as evidence in his trial.

An investigation conducted by the New York State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office found that the collision was the result of reckless and negligent actions by Jones and that he was responsible for causing the collision. He was arrested by state police Sept. 12.

Hoovler said that Jones made the tragic choice to recklessly use his vehicle as a deadly weapon.

“As a result, three lives were lost, and four others were seriously injured,” he said. “My deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this incident and those whose lives have been forever altered by this collision.”