Victim Who Was Run Over, Killed By Taxi May Have Already Been On The Ground After An Assault: Police

RAMAPO, NY — A deadly, early morning car accident uncovered a deeper mystery, according to police in Rockland County.

On Sunday, around 1 a.m, a Ramapo police officer was flagged down on Eckerson Road. At the same time, the Ramapo Police Emergency Communications Division received a call for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.

The officer on the scene found that a man was pinned under a 2014 red Toyota Prius, in the parking lot. The man, who appeared to be seriously injured, was breathing, conscious and semi-responsive. Spring Hill Ambulance and Rockland Paramedics arrived on the scene shortly afterwards.

A car jack that was provided by a bystander was used to lift the vehicle off the victim. He was treated at the scene and taken to Nyack Hospital where he died.

The Hillcrest Fire Department was also dispatched to the scene. Police say the driver of the 2014 Toyota Prius, a 32-year-old woman from Spring Valley, remained at the scene, and is cooperating with the investigation. The woman who was working as a taxi driver was determined not to be under the influence of any drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.

She was arrested for operating with a suspended license and released with a future court date in the Town of Ramapo. It appears that the taxicab was leaving that location after dropping off a fare, when she struck the victim who was on the ground in the parking lot, according to police.

Interviews with witnesses at the scene indicate that the man may have been the victim of an assault prior to being struck by the Prius. However, it does not appear the taxicab driver was in any way involved in any possible assault.

The identity of the 45-year-old Spring Valley resident who died is being held pending proper notification to his next of kin, according to police.

Due to the circumstances surrounding this incident, both the Ramapo Police Detective Bureau and the Ramapo Police Crash Investigation Unit began a joint investigation into the crash and what may have taken place prior to the crash. Anyone with any information about the incident is being asked to call the Ramapo Police Department at 845-357-2400.